Family Friendly Farm Stays: (2021)

Le Clos Saint-Vincent is an elegant, upscale spa & winery hotel just outside the charming town of Ribeauvillé in France’s Alsace region. It makes a great base for exploring the Alsace wine route and the hotel can organize all sorts of wine tourism activities for guests. It also has a lovely location; on a hillside surrounded by vineyards and with lovely views over the town and the valley below. THE ACCOMMODATION: The individually decorated rooms & suites are all spacious, with en suite bathroom and flat-screen TV, and some come with a balcony or terrace with views over the garden or vineyards. There is an excellent restaurant at Le Clos too, with a great selection of local wines to be sampled alongside plenty of wholesome traditional French food. Guests can dine in the indoor dining room or weather permitting on the terrace outside. There is also a gym at the property, a wellness centre with massage facilities, a sauna and a hot tub, and an indoor swimming pool. THE LOCATION: Roughly half-way between Strasbourg and Mulhouse, (about 45 minutes from each) and right on the Alsace wine route, Ribeauvillé is a charming medieval town at the foot of the Vosges Mountains. It has a rich past and some very atmospheric, flower filled streets and squares with many classic Alsatian half timbered houses, as well as lots of cafes, restaurants and wine shops. Overlooking the town on a nearby hillside are the ruins of the Three Castles of the Lords of Ribeaupierre. They were built starting from the 11th century through to medieval times and have a mixture of architectural styles; Romanesque, Gothic and Early Renaissance. Though mainly in ruins they are still an impressive sight and the location is stunning, if you climb to the top of the largest of the three; Haut-Ribeaupierre castle you can have some incredible views, even over as far as the Black Forest in Germany. The hill, and the castles can be accessed by well worn pathways that lead directly from the town. The larger border town of Colmar is another nice day out and just 15km away. It too is a picture perfect place with cobblestone streets, READ MORE

This high quality, organic farm stay is in the heart of the Wiltshire Cotswolds, England, near to some famously beautiful villages like Castle Combe, Lacock and Corsham, and less than 20 miles from the city of Bath. The Accommodation: The accommodation is in the form of cosy self catering cottages for up to five people. Though in rustic, traditional style on the outside inside they they modern and clean with a lounge area with flat screen TV, WiFi and a log fire, and access to a fully equipped kitchen. The accommodation can be self catering but an excellent complimentary breakfast is still delivered to your door every morning, with some of the ingredients coming fresh from the farm. Outside in the terraces and gardens there is plenty of seating, a barbecue area and tennis courts. The Farm: The farm is a working organic farm with herds of cattle, sheep and goats. They also have some horses with stables in the courtyard at the back of the farmhouse. Horse riding trips can be arranged and you can also hire bikes for free at the farmhouse. The Location: Wiltshire and the Cotswolds have long been synonymous with beautiful countryside and are today one of England’s most popular destinations for upmarket rural tourism. The Cotswolds are wonderful to explore and contain some of England’s prettiest small towns including the famous Castle Combe, about If you’re a fan of films and TV series you might be interested to know that the village of Lacock, only about six miles from the farm, was used as a location for the first two Harry Potter films, the village of Corsham, about the same distance away, was used to film the BBC series Poldark, while, closest of all; in the village of Castle Combe, Steven Spielberg filmed some scenes for his 2011 movie War Horse. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Superb in every way: Very warm, helpful welcome, and delighted to feel part of the family exercising and looking after their beautiful horses. A special place and rare to find breakfast served from 6am! Great to see the DEFRA organic mark for local produce…..” “A lovely cosy cottage on READ MORE

This popular farm stay in Pemberton, near the coast of Western Australia, is a self catering cottage on a working farm and vineyard surrounded by rainforest. The clean and comfortable cottage is beside the farmhouse and has three bedrooms, a full kitchen dining area and lounge, two spa baths, a nice open fireplace and an outside patio with barbecue. Other facilities include a flat screen TV, DVD player and an ipod dock. The accommodation is self catering but the friendly owners can arrange breakfast and picnic food with a bit of advance notice. They have their own wines too which guests are welcome to try and you are of course free to wander the farm to meet, and help feed, the animals if you so wish. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Lovely bush setting. Farm animals on property and feeding for children. Wonderful hosts, couldn’t be more helpful and welcoming….” “Wonderful location, the accommodation fantastic and owners couldn’t do enough to help us. A+ from us and we will be going back for sure!…” >>CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT TREENRIDGE FARM ESTATE: READ MORE

Toghill Farm is a family run working farm with homely bed and breakfast accommodation near Bath and Bristol, England. The farmhouse dates back to the late 17th century and though much renovated since it still has lots of historical character, and a cosy, traditional farmhouse feel. The gardens surrounding it are immaculately kept, as is the farm which has sheep, horses and hens, and both have gorgeous views over the surrounding countryside, as far as the River Severn and the Bristol Channel to the west. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have a selection of double and twin rooms as well as family rooms to sleep up to five in both the farmhouse and in the adjacent converted barn buildings. Check your options out on the booking page here. All are comfortable and clean and display plenty of old English farmhouse character. The bathrooms are en-suite and all rooms come with flat-screen TV, heating and tea and coffee facilities as standard. You’ll find your hosts friendly and welcoming and you can enjoy some excellent breakfasts in the morning; full traditional English as well as continental options, to be taken in the lovely dining hall overlooking the gardens. Guests are free to wander around the farm, take in the fresh air and the lovely views of the surrounding countryside, and, if they so wish, to meet some of the animals that call Toghill home; horses, sheep, hens and some friendly dogs and cats. THE LOCATION: The farm lies high on a hill near the small village of Wick, which has a couple of shops, a pub and a restaurant, and less than ten minutes’s drive from both Bristol and Bath. It is also a few minutes from the Cotswold Way and can make a good base for exploring the Cotswolds, one of England’s loveliest rural regions. Chippenham and Malmesbury are both less than a half an hour away with Cirencester being just a little farther. Many other places of interest are also within an hour from the farm including Gloucester, Cheltenham, Stonehenge and Salisbury. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Exceptional: Great stop. Would highly recommend it and wish I had more time here. Comfortable beds. READ MORE

Casa Lata Agroturismo is a very popular farm stay/vineyard hotel stay near Braga, Portugal in the heart of the Vinho Verde wine region, with a mixture of rooms in its plush farmhouse surrounded by olive groves, orange trees and grape vines. THE ACCOMMODATION: All their comfortable, hotel standard, rooms come with flat screen TV and private bathroom, and they also have a sociable dining area and lounge at the property as well as an outdoor swimming pool in the gardens. THE WINE: The main attraction here seems to be the wine though and the owners are always happy to show guests around, teach them about the wine making processes and of course take part in wine tasting sessions. At the moment they produce red and white wines under the Terras de Amares brand with its white Loureiro being a particular favourite. THE LOCATION: The Vinho Verde region of Portugal, up in the north near the border with Galicia, Spain, is the country’s largest wine growing region and has been producing wine for at least two thousand years. Most visitors to the area will have an interest in wine though in itself the region is pleasant to travel around; classic Northern Portuguese terrain with fertile, green hills all around, meandering rivers and gentle sloping valleys. You’ll find the area around Casa Lata Agroturismo less touristic than the Douro Valley to the south, the majority of the wineries here are small scale family affairs but some of them do offer visits and tours. The owners at Casa Lata Agroturismo are always happy to advise on other vineyards to visit as well as their own. Nearby towns of note include historic Guimarães, with its famous castle, the beautiful city of Viana do Castelo where the Lima River meets the sea, and of course Braga just to the south of Casa Lata, with its historic centre and abundance of old churches. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “This family run hotel was amazing. We couldn’t feel more looked after. It was beautiful, the location was stunning and the wine we had from their private vineyard was out of this world. Anyone staying here will not be disappointed…..” READ MORE

Burren Glamping has room for up to 6 in a creatively converted horse trailer on an organic farm near the Cliffs of Moher, Co.Clare, Ireland. Cleverly laid out, the glamping is surprisingly spacious and comfortable, and it gets heated nicely with the wood burning stove. Kids will especially enjoy the experience as well as the chance to roam the farm and interact the animals which include saddleback pigs, donkeys, beef cattle, hens and ducks. THE ACCOMMODATION: Converting a horse truck into living accommodation is not an easy or obvious thing to do but they have done it with style. There are two double beds plus a sofa that can be converted into two single beds at night time. It’s perfectly warm with the wood burning stove while also being fully insulated. There is a good bathroom too with an electric shower, and there is WiFi throughout. Outside the truck there is nice little balcony type seating area plus down the steps a patio area with even more seating. There is also a barbecue at the farmhouse which you are free to use. You don’t have much of a kitchen there, just a kettle, a sink and  toaster, but the friendly owners serve you up a terrific traditional breakfast in the morning using their own free range eggs and pork. THE FARM: At the farm there is a small herd of beef cattle, a pair of donkeys, Saddleback pigs, some hens and ducks, all free range of course and from where, as mentioned, you get most of your breakfast from. There is also a poly-tunnel at the farm where they grow various fruits and vegetables and the whole place is organic and eco-friendly, with the welfare of the animals being paramount. The truck is right in the middle of the farm near a quite well preserved Iron Age Fort (Tullagh Ringfort) and is beautifully peaceful and quiet at nighttime. If you’re coming from a city you will also surely marvel at the lack of light pollution and the opportunity to see the stars like never before. THE LOCATION: Just outside the village of Kilfenora in Ireland’s famous Burren Region the location READ MORE

This pet friendly Tasmania farm stay, near the town of Richmond in the Coal River Valley wine region, is organic and eco-friendly and includes a vineyard, olive groves, vegetable gardens and various farm animals. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have two comfortable self catering apartments, both clean and modern and both come with a flat-screen TV and DVD player and a full kitchen, lounge and private bathroom. There is also a private patio and BBQ area. One of the apartments is two bedroom with a sofa bed in the living room and and can fit up to five people, while the other is one bedroom for a maximum of two people. The accommodation is self catering but the friendly owners also provide a free organic continental breakfast which includes freshly baked bread, homemade jams & fruit, and fresh coffee every morning, with much of the ingredients coming fresh from the farm. The entire property is as eco-friendly as possible; half of its electricity needs come from solar energy, the central heating and hot water comes from a wood fired boiler, drinking water is collected from rainfall while the water in the toilets comes from the local river. THE FARM: The farm is a working, eco-friendly, organic farm with a range of animals including horses, sheep and ducks. It also has an extensive vineyard, an olive grove as well as a small orchard and vegetable gardens. In line with ecological principles all waste water from the property is used for irrigation. and they make efforts to be carbon positive too with an annual tree planting program. The owners are enthusiastic environmentalists and farmers and are always keen to show guests around the farm. THE LOCATION: The old town of Richmond, and especially its historic bridge, features in almost all tourist photo albums from Tasmania. The bridge was built in 1820 by convicts of the old Van Diemen’s Land and is to this day Australia’s oldest bridge. A tour of the old Richmond Gaol will you an uncomfortable insight into the hardships suffered by these same convicts. With more than fifty buildings dating back to the Georgian era, its quaint historic streets, and cool READ MORE

Ystumgwern is a friendly organic farm stay in Snowdonia, North Wales, offering luxury self catering accommodation in converted barns around a renovated 15th-century traditional stone farmhouse. It is very near the golden beaches of the Cambrian coast and within the boundaries of the spectacular Snowdonia National Park. THE ACCOMMODATION: It has a range of stylish self catering converted barns that can fit up to five people per unit. They are all fully central heated, all have their own private entrance, a lounge & dining area with TV and DVD player, varying numbers of bedrooms and bathrooms, and a modern kitchen. There is a children’s play area and games room at the farmhouse with a pool table, tables tennis and plenty of games for kids. THE FARM: The farm is a very large, working organic farm with flocks of sheep and some goats. It has a full 1,000 acres of farmland in a lovely setting overlooking the sandy beaches of the Cambrian coast. THE LOCATION: The location is simply wonderful; it has the Snowdonia National Park and its rugged mountains and valleys to the east and north; undoubtedly some of Britain’s best scenery, and very much a nature lovers paradise with plenty of trails of varying degrees of difficulty for hiking and mountain biking. The Rhinog mountain range is the nearest mountain range to the farmstay, there you can lose yourself in some spectacular terrain; visit Cwm Bychan with its peaceful lake and Roman Steps, or the rocky mountains around Cwm Nantcol with some beautiful waterfalls and quiet woodland full of undisturbed wildlife. The Snowdonia Mountain Railway comes highly recommended. It is a relaxing train ride that runs through some really jaw dropping scenery around the mountains and high above the valleys. To the south and west of the farmstay there is a fantastic ten mile stretch of beach that runs between the pretty towns of Harlech and Barmouth. Harlech has much history and is famous for its impressive hilltop castle and is also the site of the Royal St. David’s golf course. Barmouth has a lovely setting overlooking Cardigan Bay on the estuary of the River Mawddach and both it and Harlech READ MORE

Joshua Tree Ostrich Farm has a fully equipped self catering guest house on its small ostrich farm, in the peaceful little town of Dolan Springs, Arizona. It’s about three hours from the Grand Canyon and an hour and a half from Las Vegas in neighboring Nevada. The accommodation is clean and comfortable with WiFi throughout, a full kitchen, bathroom, a master bedroom plus a sofa in the lounge that pulls out into a queen size bed. Outside there’s a little porch with a barbecue and a stone fire pit. It’s a great chance to get to know some of these fascinating animals and guests are welcome to help out with the feeding etc. The surrounding area has plenty to offer too, with some great spots for hiking, canoeing and fishing, the farm owners are always happy to advise on this and can also organize such things as guided tours and kayak rental. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “We loved it! The house was bigger than expected! Our kids loved seeing the Ostriches as well. We roasted marshmallows and made s’mores around the fire pit. It was a great end to our day at the Grand Canyon…..” “The house is located in a very peaceful and quiet area about 10 miles from the main Highway. It’s an ostrich farm! House is super nice and huge with very interesting design. In fact, it’s a log cabin! Perfect for outdoor lovers or just someone who wants to get away from Vegas’s hustle and bustle. 2 full bathrooms is a huge plus!…” >>CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT JOSHUA TREE OSTRICH RANCH:   READ MORE

Hanselishof has self catering accommodation on a hillside farm just outside Matrei in the famously beautiful Tyrol region of Austria. The apartment at Hanselishof features 2 bedrooms fitted with wood panelling, a fully equipped kitchen with a dining area and a dishwasher, a bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer, a balcony with mountain views, satellite channels and a CD player. The apartment additionally has a living area with a sofa and a washing machine. Guests can sunbathe on a lawn in the garden and during winter you can meet farm animals which are kept warm in their sheds. In summer the remain out on the lovely Alpine pastures which can also of course be visited. Homemade products like butter, cheese, bread, yogurt and marmalades can be bought at the farm stay. Amenities include a ski and bicycles storage room, free WiFi and a children’s playground. The closest ski lift of the Großglocker Ski Resort is a 10-minute drive away. The closest restaurant is less than 1 km away. A supermarket, cross-country skiing trails and public pools are 8 km away. Lake Triestachersee is 20 km from the premises. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Exceptional: Was an all around nice vacation. Very nice hostess, great apartment, super equipped, could go on like this … just great….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT HANSELISHOF:   READ MORE

This eco-friendly farmstay in Yilan City, Taiwan, is a peaceful oasis of lush green countryside at the edge of the city. It has spacious B&B chalet accommodation surrounded by fruit & vegetable gardens and a nice lake. THE ACCOMMODATION: The farm stay has a range of modern chalets, from one bedroom standard to superior, which can sleep up to four people. You’ll find them spacious and very comfortable, with plenty of light and all modern facilities; private bathroom, fridge, tea/coffee making facilities, flat screen TV, WiFi and room service. They also have a balcony with views over the gardens and the lake. It’s a quality place, the service is friendly, and you’ll be treated to a very good breakfast every morning. THE LOCATION: The farm stay is in the boundaries of Yilan City, but it very much feels like you are in the heart of the countryside. It’s also less than an hour from Taipei with Taipei Songshan airport even closer. Though under an hour from Taipei, the city and county of Yilan have a different, more old fashioned atmosphere. It is well known for being a centre of aboriginal Taiwanese culture and the landscapes around the city are truly gorgeous. The city itself is on the Yilan Plain and the coastline makes up the  Yilan Coast National Scenic area, over a hundred kilometers of stunning scenery; thick forests, mountains and rocky cliffs; a fabulous place for hiking and exploring nature. In the city itself two places shouldn’t be missed; Taiwan generally is well known for its night markets and Yilan does it best of all; the most famous night market in the whole country is Luodong Market, in the township of the same name. It is a raucous place mainly devoted to food and here you can taste a huge array of Yilan and Taiwanese food and drink. Old Yilan is the heart of the city and has many grand buildings dating from the early to mid 20th-century, many of which were built during the Japanese occupation, and have a unique architectural style. Buildings like the Former Taiwan Railway Administration Office and the former Rice Inspection Bureau give a glimpse READ MORE

Very near the historic village of Wollombi, Gypsy Willows is a secluded Hunter Valley retreat on 25 acres of peaceful farmland. It has two plush self catering cottages for nightly rent both with their own private swimming pools. THE ACCOMMODATION: There are just two cottages at Gypsy Willows, one with three double bedrooms, and the other with two, and all with King or Queen size beds and en-suite bathrooms. Both are also spacious, clean and tremendously comfortable and come with modern facilities including well equipped kitchens, WiFi, Digital TV, Bose music speakers, reverse cycle air-con, wood burning fires, gas BBQs, Nespresso coffee machines etc. etc. Check them out on the booking page here. The surroundings are gorgeous, the gardens and the small farm which is home to cattle and horses, and perfect for long meandering walks and wildlife spotting. PRICES: Check out all the details – prices, reviews & more photos on the booking page here. THE LOCATION: The farm is walking distance from the lovely little village of Wollombi which has some very nice restaurants and cafes and there are plenty of boutique wineries in the surrounding area. You can treat yourself to wine tours, helicopter rides, boat trips and lots of the usual Hunter Valley activities from the farm. The farm owners live nearby and can be at hand with plenty of tips and advice. The journey by car from Sydney should take well under two hours. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “The villa was so beautiful. It was quiet and had beautiful views. The owner was amazing and was quick to reply and help if we needed it….” “Exceptional: This property was amazing My daughter and her family stayed here for a recent family wedding. The kids had a ball watching the kangaroos and meeting the pet horses. Absolutely loved it and want to return for a break from Sydney life in the near future….” CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT GYPSY WILLOWS. READ MORE

A peaceful rural retreat near the historic city of Evora in Alentejo Portugal, Herdade da Amendoeira Agroturismo has B&B accommodation in a lovely, old style farmhouse surrounded by its 1700 acre farm estate which produces, amongst other things, a popular range of sheep cheeses and various jams. THE ACCOMMODATION: The agroturismo has eight rooms in total, four double and four twins, all of them are spacious, comfortable and clean and come with private bathroom, TV, air-con and mini bar. There is no WiFi in the rooms but it is available in the main hall & sitting room, and around the outdoor swimming pool. The double rooms are a few yards away from the main farmhouse with their own private terrace and lovely views over the surrounding area, while the ‘twin rooms’ surround the traditional patio area which was once used to house the estate horses. There are many common areas to discover; outdoor terraces, gardens and an outdoor swimming pool. Inside there is the great ‘Hunting hall’ where you can relax in the evening and where you’ll be treated to a very fine home cooked breakfast in the morning, including fresh orange juice, traditional regional ham, honey, jam and eggs, all of which are produced on the farm. And in the summer months they serve up a buffet lunch for an extra charge. THE FARM: The huge, 1700 acre estate is a calm and beautiful place to wander around though there is lot of activity going on; they have a traditional cheese making facility which produces around 30.000 packets per month from their herd of circa 1000 pure bred “saloia” sheep that they milk twice a day. They also keep hens, ducks and Limousine cattle, and they even have a distillery where they produce some lovely traditional Portuguese liqueurs. The guests are more than welcome to walk around the farm, visit all the facilities and, if the like, enjoy guided tours and food tastings of some of their top quality cheese, hams, honey, liqueurs and jams. There is a farm shop where you buy some to take home with you and they also provide workshops for those who would like to READ MORE

The Villa of Permaculture is a luxury farm stay resort surrounded by lush organic orchards and vegetable gardens in Shoufeng, Hualien County, on Taiwan’s peaceful east coast. THE ACCOMMODATION: It has a range of B&B rooms and suites which are all super spacious, clean and modern, and come with WiFi, flat screen TV and private bathroom with bathtub. Most of them will also have a balcony or terrace with an outdoor seating area too. They serve up a very good and generous organic breakfast in the morning and you can also order various other meals throughout the day. THE FARM: Outside you’ll find barbecue facilites and a children’s playground, as well as various chickens, hens and ducks around the large gardens and lake, which are beautifully tended to, just like the villa itself.  It is run on permaculture principles and the hospitable owners are always willing to explain the processes involved, including their solar power systems and the water cooling pond system which serves as air conditioning in summer. THE LOCATION: You can go fishing on the lake out the front, and can get to other nearby rivers and lakes using free bicycle hire from the villa, a good choice being the lovely Liyu Lake about 12 km away. Around the mainly rural Shoufeng township you’ll find other tourist attractions too; the Taroko Gorge, or marble gorge as it is known, along with its associated national park, the Farglory Ocean Park and of course there is plenty of beautiful landscapes as well as an abundance of hot springs around the rightly famous East Rift Valley National Scenic Area. The Villa of Permaculture can arrange shuttle pick up and drop offs from various points around the area should you need, just let them know before arrival. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Very warm welcome from the staff! Excellent choice for our family….” “The villa environment is beautiful and picturesque, and they provide bicycles for leisure rides round the area – you can have a coffee at the cafe by the lake. The room is big, clean and importantly a very good quality mattress. Will go back again….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS READ MORE

Farm Stay Wachahof is in Lower Austria’s Bucklige Welt region, an area famous for its gentle green hills and one which attracts visitors from all over Austria for hill walking, hiking and mountain biking. The farmhouse is surrounded by the family farm with pastures, meadows and orchards, and the farm in turn is surrounded by deep forest where, amongst other things, you’ll find a fish pond with trout. The accommodation at the farm stay is in the form of two self catering studio apartments which can sleep three with the help of the sofa bed, and a larger two floor cottage which can sleep up to seven. The apartments have a kitchenette, a dining area, bathroom and the bedroom/living room with satellite TV. They also have a wood-burning stove and bathroom and plenty of space outside to lounge around and enjoy some beautiful views of the Wechselgebirge mountains. The Cottage provides a lot more space internally and can sleep up to seven with two double beds and the rest sofa beds. There is a large living room area downstairs and a well equipped kitchen. Though the accommodation is self catering you can arrange a good breakfast at the farm stay and the farm owners produce a lot of quality home made food including jams, breads, fruits, vegetables and even home made schnapps which you are welcome to try out and to buy. Outside in the gardens there are sun loungers, deck chairs and barbecue facilities. you are also welcome to tour the farm and the surrounding forest. The nearest town is Edilitz, less than five minutes away by car, while you can be at the well known thermal baths in Bad Schönau in about ten. If you’re here in winter the area has some skiing, with the resort areas of St. Corona and Semmering both being less than a half an hour away, and they have ski equipment storage facilities at the farmhouse. The journey south from Vienna will take less than an hour by car. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Wonderful! The view is so wonderful, and the location is isolated and so calm, I loved it. There are cute animals READ MORE

Kauri Lodge offers pleasant, friendly, farm stay accommodation near the Hobbiton Movie Set, Lake Karapiro and the lovely town of Cambridge, amidst some typically beautifully New Zealand North Island countryside. THE ACCOMMODATION: There is a choice between a very spacious two bedroom cottage which can sleep up to 7 and a smaller, though still large, double studio. They both have very well equipped kitchens, a large lounge area with satellite TV, and plenty of outside space and barbecue facilities. The studio is a little away from the main farmhouse and doesn’t have its own WiFi but guests are welcome to come and use the WiFi at the farmhouse any time the want. Guests are also welcome to explore the farm which keeps horses and cattle. Horse riding can be arranged too, though not horse riding lessons so they would want you to have at least some experience before hopping on. You’ll find the owners super friendly and helpful and though the accommodation is self catering you can also arrange them to prepare you a good breakfast in the morning for a reasonable extra fee. THE LOCATION: As mentioned above Kauri Farm Stay is just outside the town of Cambridge on New Zealand’s North Island. Perhaps the most popular attraction in the area is the Hobbiton Movie Set which, even for non Lord of The Rings fans, is a beautiful, almost other worldly place. The idyllic, deep green, hills that surround the set are very typical of the area and the land around Kauri farmstay very much also has that Hobbiton feel to it. The town of Cambridge is a very pleasant little place, it has become famous for its many trees and for its prowess in the sport of rowing, leading it to be dubbed ‘The town of trees and champions’. It’s not a big town by any means but sees a good number of tourists and so has a few good cafes and restaurants. Within an hour’s drive of the farmstay you can enjoy some of the North Island’s best natural attractions; Raglan Beach or the incredible underground caves at Waitomo to the west for example, or Rotorua town and READ MORE

In the rural hills of Basilicata, Italy, Taverna Centomani farmstay has a range of comfortable B&B rooms on a working sheep and cattle farm near the city of Potenza. THE ACCOMMODATION: All their rooms come with private bathroom, WiFi and flat screen TV and the hospitable owners serve a very good Italian style, sweet and savoury buffet breakfast in the morning, with some of the produce direct from the farm. And for lunch and dinner there are a number of good quality restaurants in the surrounding area. THE LOCATION: Though very near the city of Potenza the area feels beautifully remote. There are quite a few really lovely hiking trails in the surrounding hills, and there is a local horse riding stable from where horse riding trips can be arranged. Or if you prefer to cycle you can rent bikes from the farm, and winter sports lovers can visit the nearby Sellata ski area. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Absolutely outstanding! The homemade food, the hospitality, the warmth of Maria…what a very special place….” “Great hostess, clean mountain air, all organic, sustainable farm, wonderful dinner offered….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO TAVERNA CENTOMANI:   READ MORE

North of the popular tourist town of Oban in the Scottish Highlands, Shenavallie Farm Stay has cosy and comfortable B&B rooms surrounded by beautiful, wild countryside and has a herd of famous Scottish Highland cattle just down the road on its pasture land which runs all the way down to the sea. Their rooms are all en-suite, with satellite TV, WiFi and a nice balcony overlooking the garden. There is a common dining and lounge area area  too where guests are treated to a hearty breakfast each morning. The surroundings are terrific for hiking and biking, and the farm itself, which guests are free to wander, has its own sea shore where you can go swimming or kayaking too. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “This was an excellent place to stay and met our needs perfectly. The host was incredibly helpful….” “Exceptional Great Scottish cooked breakfast. The location is stunning with views across the farm fields and to the mountains. We visited in May when Highland Cattle had given birth to new calves. Lovely farm walk to beach in about 7 mins….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT SHENAVALLIE FARM: READ MORE

Less than a half an hour from Perth city centre, this Swan Valley farmstay is very highly rated and with good reason. It is stylish and chic, akin to a boutique hotel, but with a pleasant country farmhouse vibe. You’ll find the owners hospitable and friendly and the breakfast here is particularly good. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have two double rooms available, both of which have their own private entrance and outdoor terrace. They are also nicely designed and furnished, and have the usual mod-cons; air-con, WiFi, flat screen TV. The bathrooms are very nice as well with the larger of the two rooms, the ‘king room’ also having a spa bath. You’ll be treated to a very good and generous fresh breakfast at Kellers, with much of the ingredients coming from their small working farm. Guests are free to take a look around and meet some of the cows, sheep and pigs that call the place home, and, if they so wish, they can help out with farm chores, collecting eggs etc. THE LOCATION: Keller’s farm is very near Perth, at the edge of the Swan Valley. Here you’ll find lots to see and do; the Swan Valley is very popular with food and nature lovers and you’ll find some nice rural scenery, top class wineries, restaurants, food factories and farmers markets at almost every turn. Just up the road is the famous Margaret River Chocolate Factory for example and the equally famous Sandalford Winery is close by too. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Breakfast is in a world of its own, and we were shown around and participated in the daily workings of the farm. I will definitely be back and recommend anyone for it, especially those with families….” “It was a perfect farm stay experience, the hosts Philips and Marija were so friendly and helpful….” >>CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT KELLER’S FARM STAY B&B:   READ MORE

Surrounded by olive trees, and with beautiful views across the Italian Riviera, farmstay Natta Di Monte Tabor is a charming, rustic farmhouse with an outdoor swimming pool. Agriturismo Natta Di Monte Tabor is in the village of La Natta, between Celle Ligure and Varazze and is a short car trip from some of the Italian Riviera’s finest beaches. They serve up a great Breakfast in the flower filled garden with vegan and vegetarian options available on request. Their elegant rooms come with air conditioning, a TV and fridge. They have beautiful old style wood or terracotta floors with wood-beamed ceilings and each comes with a private entrance with a nice shared, shaded seating area of the garden. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Magnificent view! Wonderful hosts! Delicious breakfast!· After a 14 day driving trip of Europe, our family voted this as our favorite accommodations of the trip. It’s a beautiful setting overlooking the sea on a hillside covered in lush gardens and trees. The breakfast was wonderful and the hostess was very hospitable and accommodating….” “Magnificent view! Wonderful hosts! Delicious breakfast!· After a 14 day driving trip of Europe, our family voted this as our favorite accommodations of the trip. It’s a beautiful setting overlooking the sea on a hillside covered in lush gardens and trees. The breakfast was wonderful and the hostess was very hospitable and accommodating….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO NATTA DI MONTE TABOR:   READ MORE

Near to the Eifel national park in North-Rhine-Westphalia Germany, this very much family friendly farmstay is loved by children with its petting zoo of goats, hens and pigs, as well as treasure hunt activities and kids disco. It has cute self catering cottages and apartments all with a fully equipped kitchen and flat screen TV. It has its own cafe too; Cafe Heidehof, which is open throughout the day and serves up a great German buffet breakfast. There is also a nice terrace with barbecue facilities and the friendly reception team can organize events in the surrounding area such as mountain biking and archery. Skiing is also available in season at the nearby Weißer Stein winter sports centre. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Comfortable spot, nice for kids, loved the animals, nice playground. Lovely setting, friendly hosts….” “In the middle of stunning forest, very remote. Lovely animals and play area for children. Very friendly staff and warm welcome….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT PENSION HEIDEHOF: READ MORE

  Brúnalaug is a cosy three bedroom holiday cottage on a family farm near Iceland’s second city, Akureyri and the Eyjafjörður Fjord in its remote north. The accommodation is comfortable and clean, the location very scenic and central to many of northern Iceland’s most lovely natural landscapes. THE ACCOMMODATION: The modern cottage comes with a nice lounge, a fully equipped kitchen, two bathrooms, one double/twin room, one with a bunk bed and one single room plus the sofa in the living room can also be pulled out to sleep two more if needed, and cots can be provided for children. The comfortable lounge has a WiFi and a TV & DVD player while outside there is a large porch area with a barbecue and, best of all, a hot tub from where to enjoy some of the lovely scenery that surrounds. The farmer’s house is nearby and you’ll find them very friendly but completely non-intrusive. They grow a large range of fruit, vegetables, herbs etc. at the farm greenhouse though and so you can buy supplies of fresh produce to cook with should you need. Otherwise there are supermarkets in Akureyri, just 13km away, plus plenty of nice cafes, bars and restaurants. THE LOCATION: The nearest town is Akureyri, Iceland’s second city which, with a population of just 18,000, is a lot more sedate than Reykjavik. It also sees a lot less tourists and is therefore, for many visitors, a much more authentic place to be. The region is generally called Eyjafjaroarsveit, or Eyjafjörður Country, after the large fjord of the same name and is a wonderful place for all sorts of outdoor activities; hiking, horse riding, skiing, golf, bird watching etc. Make sure to do some whale watching at Húsavík and admire the spectacular waterfall at Goðafoss too. You can ask the friendly farm owners at Brúnalaug for more advice and recommendations, they’ll have plenty, and they can also help organize tours and excursions. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “We stayed for 2 nights and had wonderful time in this warm and cosy house. Anna was so nice and told us many stories about Iceland, it’s culture, nature and people. READ MORE

This organic farm stay B&B, near Brisbane, Queensland, on Australia’s Sunshine Coast and just 10 minutes from Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo, has a large spacious suite on its small (by Australian standards!) farm with cows, alpacas, pigs and hens. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have three accommodation choices. There is the sleek, modern and spacious, suite which has its own separate lounge area with flat screen TV, DVD player and ipod docking station. It also comes with a kitchenette, plus an en-suite bathroom with a nice old style claw foot bathtub. Then there is the cosy ‘tiny house on wheels’ which has 2 bedrooms, 1 of which has a queen-sized bed, the other 2 single beds. There is a TV, reverse-cycle air-conditioning, a full kitchenette and a large terrace outside where you’ll find a BBQ. Finally it has a small bathroom with a shower and compost (no smell!) toilet. Note: the ‘tiny house on wheels’ accommodation involves stairs and a climbing ladder and is not suitable for children under the age of 7. Finally there is the bungalow which has two bedrooms, one with a king size bed and the other with two king size singles. It has a nice bathroom with a claw foot bath tub, and a kitchen and lounge. Outside there is a large outdoor terrace area with seating and a barbecue. Check out all your options on the booking page here. Guests have access to the entire farm and are welcome to help out with farm tasks such as feeding the animals, collecting fresh eggs etc. They also have an organic vegetable garden and the friendly owners give kitchen garden workshops where you can learn how to create your own organic garden at home. There is a common lounge at the farm with books and board games, and there is WiFi throughout. The accommodation is self catering but you’ll also be treated to a great organic breakfast in the morning, included in the rate, and breakfast and BBQ dinner hampers can be provided on request. THE LOCATION: As mentioned the farm is conveniently just 10 minutes away from the world famous Australia Zoo, a definite must visit in the READ MORE

In KwaZulu Natal South Africa‘s Drakensberg Mountains, and beside the Giants Castle Nature Reserve this top quality farmstay serves exceptionally good food, award winning in fact, from a three course breakfast in the morning to a 6 course evening dinner using the farm’s own fresh vegetables and herbs. They have a wide range of very comfortable and nicely furnished rooms, cottages and suites and there’s a nice, sociable lounge area with a cosy fireplace. And the friendly hosts can arrange a whole range of services for you including room service, laundry, business center, horse riding, bicycle hire, guides/tours of the local area etc. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “A truly wonderful relaxing and luxurious stay. Not only is the location magnificent but the staff are one of the best parts of the experience. The food is to die for and your comfort and enjoyment is their main concern, Absolutely superb! Thanks for a lovely stay….” “The room comforts were excellent. With regards to the food all needs were met. Everything we ate was delicious. The staff are well informed and always attentive….a wonderful stay, most relaxing and good for the soul….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT CLEOPATRA MOUNTAIN FARM: READ MORE

For a modern Icelandic farm holiday experience near the famous Gulfoss waterfall in Iceland’s Golden Circle, and relatively near Reykjavik (within an hour’s drive), Farm Hotel Efstidalur mixes the hotel and farm sides of the business with ease. Though it might be far from the idea of a traditional Icelandic farmhouse, it has very good facilities; an excellent restaurant and bar, a nice terrace with seating and a hot tub outside, and in summer you can explore the lovely local countryside on one of their horse riding trips. THE ACCOMMODATION: It has a great range of B&B rooms, from doubles and twins to family rooms that can sleep up to seven. The rooms are nicely wood paneled giving them a slightly traditional feel, all have en suite bathroom and there is WiFi throughout. They have a very good restaurant at the farm with lots of good fresh local food, including breakfast. There’s also a cafe and home made ice cream shop in the converted barn. There is also a nice and sociable bar there too with a good selection of drinks, and outside you’ll find seating, a terrace area and also a very Icelandic geothermal hot tub. THE FARM: The farm is a fully working farm, in the same family since 1850, with cows and Icelandic horses. It’s pretty large you can take plenty of long walks around it and on into the surrounding countryside, or you could also hire one of their many horses, by yourself or go out on guided treks. The farm owners are enthusiastic about farming and are always happy to show guests around. You can take a look around the dairy too from where the cafe gets some of its fresh ice cream from, and where they also produce their own cheese and what is known as skyr, a very traditional Icelandic type of yoghurt. THE LOCATION: The hotel is within the well known Golden Circle Tour Region of Iceland, about an hour’s drive west of the capital Reykjavik. It’s also only 15 minutes away from the spectacular Gulfoss waterfall, one of Iceland’s most popular natural attractions, as well as the Geysir hot springs, where READ MORE

Sampson’s farm hotel is a 15th Century Tudor farmhouse in the middle of some beautiful south Devon countryside near to Dartmoor and just outside Newtown Abbott. It has a range of clean and comfortable B&B and self catering accommodation within the farmhouse and the surrounding courtyard barn conversions and also a nice common area in the main building with an open fireplace. The farm produces its own eggs, both hen’s and duck’s, and also has a few friendly goats. The eggs make up part of their very good English breakfast where you can also taste some their own homemade marmalades under the ancient oak beams of their farmhouse dining room. There’s plenty to do around the grounds, with trout and salmon fishing, clay pigeon shooting and archery lessons available as well as their well known water colour painting workshops. And outside the farm there are opportunities for horse riding, cycling and of course hiking in some of England’s most enchanting countryside; Dartmoor is just a few miles away for example, and for a more leisurely walk there is the nearby Ramblers River Walk along Templar Way and the River Teign. Sampson’s Farm Country Hotel is just five minutes from the A38 and the A380 and the cities of Exeter and Plymouth are within close reach. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Wonderful service in an enchanting setting….” “2 year old loved seeing the ducks and feeding the goats. Lovely room and great breakfast. Would definitely stay again….” >>CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT SAMPSON’S FARM: READ MORE

One of the most illustrious properties on FarmStayPlanet, Hacienda Zorita near Salamanca, Spain, is a luxury wine hotel & spa on a picturesque 14th century Dominican Estate that even back then served as a ‘casa hospitalaria‘, i.e. a lodging house, and an organic (no choice not to be organic in those days!) farm, exactly as it does today. It is a very much a place to spoil yourself with the finest of food, wine and spa facilities to be enjoyed. And even in medieval times it was able to attract some high profile guests with Christopher Columbus having stayed here on a fund raising tour before his voyage of discovery to the Americas. The location is fantastic too. It sits by the famous Duero River, in an area famous for having some of Spain’s best wineries, including Hacienda Zorita itself of course, and is also very near the UNESCO World Heritage City of Salamanca, a must see in central Spain. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have a choice of B&B rooms and suites, all of which are beautifully appointed, spacious, clean and comfortable but with a distinct rustic style in keeping with the historical nature of the property. You will find the usual suspects in every room; air-conditioning, minibar, WiFi, satellite TV, DVD player, plus some terrific massage showers in the bathrooms. Pieces of art and antiques abound throughout the property, in both the rooms and the common areas, of which there are many, including lounges, bars and dining rooms. The grounds are lovely to wander around too; around the banks of the Duero River, and through the beautifully landscaped gardens. Pamper yourself then at the excellent spa facilities (which have some unique olive, and wine, skin treatments amongst others), retire to one of the lounges or bars, catch a movie in the film room maybe, or enjoy some fresh, top quality farm to table food, and vineyard to table wine, in one of the dining rooms. You can also enjoy wine and cheese tasting sessions and arrange yoga sessions, picnics on the lawn or even catch a movie at the open air cinema (open in summer only!). Farther afield are the vineyards READ MORE

Near the city of Pisa, Tuscany, and with easy access to the Florence-Pisa highway, La Lecceta has luxury self catering farmhouses to rent on the grounds of the famous Fattoria Varramista Wine Estate. The farmhouses have two, three or four bedrooms, to sleep up to eight people, with a minimum stay of three nights. All of them are beautifully decorated in rustic Tuscan farmhouse style and are spacious, comfortable and well equipped. The estate does a full program of wine tourism which guests are welcome to join and the large estate is lovely to wander around, with acres of vineyards, woodland and gardens which include a nice outdoor swimming pool. The views are pretty special too; open countryside for miles around and the city of Pisa away in the distance. THE ACCOMMODATION: Their spacious farmhouses range from two to four bedrooms to sleep up to eight people (check your options on the booking page here, and note there is a minimum stay of 3 nights). All are tastefully decorated to accentuate the rustic farmhouse ambience with contemporary facilities; WiFi, satellite TV, air con etc. alongside the wood beamed ceilings, tiled floors, antique furniture and pastel shaded walls. They have well equipped, modern kitchens plus plenty of space for dining, and drinking some of the fabulous wine that is made on the estate. All the accommodation has a semi private outdoor area too with table and chairs. The estate is vast and there is a lot to explore. There is an outdoor swimming pool in the beautifully tended lawns and all around are vineyards, olive groves and woodland. It is classic rural Tuscany; lovely to wander around and somewhere you can usually spot some local wildlife in the quiet of the evening, deers, wild pigs and rabbits for example. Whether wine is an interest of yours or not a vineyard and wine cellar tour at the fattoria is interesting and educational. You can also buy some of their excellent wines (reds from sangiovese and syrah grapes), grappa, extra virgin olive oil and nocino (walnut liqueur) to take home. The accommodation is all self catering and there is no restaurant at the READ MORE

Eumelia Agritourism is an organic, eco-friendly, farm stay in the Laconia region of southern Peloponnese, Greece, an area rich in historical sites, picturesque villages and enchanting rural landscapes. There is a lot to do at Eumelia, it’s a unique sustainable development agritourism and eco-tourism, and guests can partake in as much or as little as they like of such things as fruit, vegetable and herb collecting, olive oil and marmalade making, wine tasting & making, cooking & baking classes, massage therapies, yoga and natural soap making workshops. THE ACCOMMODATION: The have a number of cute, ecologically friendly, cottages which have all modern comforts, including flat screen satellite TV, and are stylishly minimalist with soothing pastel shades all around. They can sleep up to four people each and all come with a lounge area with fireplace, and a well equipped kitchen where guests can cook with ingredients that they are welcome to collect from the farm. And though the accommodation is self catering there is a farm to table restaurant at the property which serves healthy organic fare all day starting with a Greek breakfast. Outside they each have their own terrace with views over the farm and the surrounding mountains, and a small private garden area. All the buildings on the farm use geothermal power for heating and cooling, and they use a standard bearing root system natural waste management, the first of its kind in the south of Greece. They also host organic & eco weddings, yoga retreats and various workshops and events for wellbeing. THE FARM: A range of organic fruit, vegetables and herbs are grown on the farm, from which they make a variety of things, including their own branded virgin olive oil (which you can buy to take home), home made wine and various other bits and pieces. They also have some animals at the farm; hens, sheep, rabbits and dogs. You can join in as much farm activity as you like with a whole host of activities to choose from depending on the season; fruit, herb and vegetable harvesting, olive and grape pressing etc. and the enthusiastic farm owners are always very happy to show guests around the READ MORE

Guesthouse Steindórsstadir  is a friendly farm house B&B in a lovely setting near the Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls north of Reykjavik, Iceland. The accommodation is fairly basic but lacks nothing in terms of cleanliness or comfort and there is a nice friendly atmosphere around the common areas which include an outdoor hot tub. The working farm dates back nearly two hundred years and has sheep, cows, Icelandic horses and a friendly dog and cat. THE ACCOMMODATION: The farmhouse is small and intimate with a choice of a single room, two doubles/twins and a triple room. All the rooms are spotlessly clean and have very comfortable beds. The bathrooms are shared but you will find them also spotlessly clean, and well equipped. The accommodation is B&B and you can expect a good, generous breakfast every morning. The kitchen is open to guests too so you can also cook for yourself during the day if you so choose and there’s a sociable shared lounge at the property too as well as a hot tub outside. The farm is a working farm and has been in the family for nearly two hundred years. They keep cattle and sheep as well as the ubiquitous Icelandic Horses. Horseback riding can be arranged and there are some lovely trails all around the farm and the local area to be enjoyed for riders of all abilities. THE LOCATION: Near the Hraunfossar waterfalls north east of Reykjavik the location is gorgeously peaceful and scenic, an expanse of open countryside between the ocean and the mountains that has a frontier like feel though it is only 100km from the Icelandic capital. The main attraction in this area is the aforementioned Hraunfossar waterfalls and the Langjökull Glacier, only around 15km away from the farm and very much one of Iceland’s many natural wonders. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “This was our fourth stay at Steindórsstadir, this says all. This time we brought five friends with us who liked it as well. Very friendly host, the old farmhouse is very welcoming and cozy, comfy beds, the bathrooms are modern and clean. Breakfast includes all what is needed for a good start into READ MORE

This highly rated farm stay, not far from Ardmore, Co. Waterford in the South East of Ireland, and near to both Dungarvan and Youghal in Co. Cork, has top quality B&B accommodation on a working dairy farm which also keeps a number of sheep, ducks and hens. Their spacious house is surrounded by beautifully tended gardens with views over the surrounding countryside and the sea beyond, and they also have a tennis court on the grounds, and a sauna. It’s a great place to see a real working farm in action or just to enjoy a wonderfully peaceful rural atmosphere, with a lot of historical sites around and long meandering walks to be made down towards the sea and the town of Ardmore. Their B&B accommodation, a mixture of doubles and triples, is top quality and all the rooms come with TV, WiFi and en-suite bathroom. They also serve a very good and generous breakfast every morning; the traditional Irish fry up is of course available but with a good few other options too, and all ingredients are locally sourced as much as possible, including eggs freshly collected from the farm. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “The house was very clean and Teresa is an exceptional host. She was so friendly. The surroundings and the farm animals were an added bonus for my child. The heating was great and the shower was excellent….” “This was our first trip to Ireland and Newtown Farm B&B will be one of our highlights!…” >>CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT NEWTOWN FARM HOUSE:   READ MORE

Very near Florence in the famous town of Vinci, Tuscany, this is an idyllic luxury agriturismo B&B set in a 16th-century Medicean Villa. It is surrounded by acres of vineyards and olive groves from which the owners produce their own award winning wines and olive oils. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have two double rooms and two larger double luxury suites at the farmhouse (check the booking page here), all of which are very comfortable and elegantly decorated in classic Tuscan style. Each come with private bathroom, WiFi and satellite flat screen TV, while the larger suites also have a separate lounge area. Outside there is plenty of space to relax in the gardens and guests are free to wander the estate and the ancient wine cellars, and can of course arrange wine and olive oil tasting sessions, as well as Tuscan cooking classes, at the villa. Their wine making tradition dates back to 1700 and their wines have won numerous awards, the most well known being their Chianti Dianella which is served in many top restaurants and taverns all over Italy. Their food is fabulous too at their informal restaurant and a generous and healthy buffet breakfast will await you each morning, to be served in your room, in the dining hall or outside in the gardens. PRICES: Check out all the details – prices, reviews & more photos on the booking page here. THE FARM & VINEYARD: For those of you in the know of such things, the Estate is located in the western Montalbano Chianti DOCG area of Tuscany and has about 25 hectares of vineyard stretched over gentle hills with a south to south west exposure. They grow a variety of grapes here; Cabernet Sauvignon, Vermentino, Sangiovese, Colorino and quite a few more. There are also about 15 hectares of olive groves, growing a variety such as Leccino, Pendolino, Frantoio and Moraiolo which go into the making of make their branded Dianella extra virgin olive oil. They are passionate about both and have even a small wine museum in the ancient cellars of the villa. Tours are offered too of course, of the farm and the cellars, as well READ MORE

Gumleaf Cottage is a traditional Aussie farm cottage on a 12 acre farm near Swan Valley and the Perth Hills, and around 30 minutes from Perth Airport. The cottage is self catering, and private, and you can have as much time by yourself as you need or you can also explore the farm and meet all the friendly animals that call it home; goats, sheep, hens, rabbits, parrots and miniature ponies for example, and get involved in farm tasks such as collecting eggs, feeding the animals and fruit picking etc. THE ACCOMMODATION: The 100 year old original farm cottage still has a nice traditional feel but is fully renovated inside with a new modern kitchen and bathroom. There are three bedrooms, two of which are doubles with queen size beds and one children’s room with 2 sets of bunk beds, so can sleep 8 but there are also two cots available to sleep extra infants if required. The cottage is adjacent to the main farmhouse and beside the gardens, which have a trampoline, a splash pool and a playground, and of course the 12 acre farm. There you will find lots of farm animals which you are welcome to meet and you can engage in all sorts of fun and educational activities that kids especially will love from pony rides (Note: the listing is in the horseback riding category though there are only ponies here to ride!) and row boating on the dam to bug collecting and possum spotting. You can also go bush walking in the forests around the farm which have miles of trails and where you can spot all sorts of exotic wildlife. PRICES: Check out all the details – prices, reviews & more photos on the booking page here. THE LOCATION: Gumleaf is just half an hour from Perth Airport and a little more to the city centre (shuttle services can be arranged) and some of Western Australia’s famously beautiful beaches. The Perth Hills and the John Forrest National Park are nearby as is Swan Valley, famous for its agriculture and food and where in recent years a whole food and wine tourism scene has emerged, READ MORE

For a farm stay with a difference, Yapham Holds Farm has some cute glamping huts on its small farm in the lovely green countryside of East Yorkshire, England, about 10 miles from York City, and about an hour by car from Scarborough. The cabins are small but perfectly formed and surprisingly comfortable. They all have a sofa-bed, a TV and DVD player, a little veranda outside as well as their own picnic table, and you can rent a grill from the farm if you need. All the huts are heated too and have access to the shared bathroom and toilets on site. Note: Dogs are welcome for a small extra charge, but with a maximum of two per guest. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Amazing: Loved every second.. first time I’ve been clamping and already planning my next trip here, lovely owner.. quite.. close to amenities, best sleep I had in ages….” “Fabulous. Friendly & informative hosts. Very clean & well kept grounds & shower/WC. Pods were great, with a few little luxuries such as TV/DVD, heater & lighting so an upgrade from traditional camping. Very peaceful & quiet….” >>CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT YAPHAM HOLDS FARM:     READ MORE

  Near to both Seville & Cordoba but very much in the wilds of northern Andalucia, Spain, this charming farm stay has a variety of rooms and suites on a working organic farm with an outdoor swimming pool. It offers horse riding lessons too and has ready access to some of Europe’s most enchanting landscapes including the beautiful Sierra Norte de Sevilla Nature Reserve. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have a range of rooms; both doubles and triples as well as a larger double suite. And all of the rooms are spacious and clean and come with with private bathroom, WiFi, air conditioning, and heating. There is also a very nice outdoor terrace with barbecue facilities and of course the swimming pool. And the owners can provide a very good breakfast every morning for a small extra charge which includes some of the farm’s own organic produce. THE FARM: The main attraction at the farmtay are the horses; they train horses here and can provide horse riding lessons to guests as well as horse riding tours in the surrounding area. It’s not just horses though, they have an orchard and vegetable plots and they also keep sheep goats, hens and a peacock, and guests are welcome to meet all of them. THE LOCATION: The surroundings; the Sierra Norte de Sevilla Nature Reserve is a truly spectacular region full of old European wildlife that have been pushed to, or towards, extinction in most other parts of the continent: Imperial eagles, black vultures, black storks, mongeese, wolves and wild boar to name but a few. There are some great hiking trails around, and mountain biking and horse riding can be arranged through the farmhouse. More lively guests can go climbing on the Cerro del Hierro, exploring underwater caves in the reserve’s many gorges or watersports at the El Pintado reservoir The area has what’s know as a Starlight Certification, which is to say that such is the lack of artificial light in this remote region that the stars at night seem to shine extra brightly, as bright almost as they would have done thousands of years ago. If you’ve spent most of your life READ MORE

Agriturismo L’Isola Che Non C’era  is a working farm just a 15-minute drive from the town of Apiro in Le Marche, Italy, and a ten minute drive to the lovely Lake Cingoli. It has a large garden, cute, traditional Italian farmhouse rooms and gorgeous views of the surrounding countryside. Rooms at the L’Isola Che Non C’era Agriturismo all come with a desk, tiled floors and private bathroom and you’ll be treated to a great Italian style breakfast in the morning. The farm stay is roughly equidistance between Ancona and Perugia in neighbouring Umbria: A little less than an hour from Ancona and a little bit more than an hour from Perugia. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “I want to sell up and move here! This was an absolute find during our trip. It is a beautifully reconstructed old farm house with wonderful hosts, an adorable dog, chickens and a goat. It is perched on the top of a hill with beautiful views all around, fireflies at night and a stunning star scape where you can see the Milky Way….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO L’ISOLA CHE NON C’ERA:   READ MORE

A couple of hours outside Christchurch on New Zealand‘s South Island this homely and very friendly farm stay offers B&B beside Peel Forest, a large reserve park with a huge range of New Zealand’s native flora and fauna; birds such as karearea, kereru, robins and warblers, and plants such as totara, matai and kahikatea. The owners will be very happy to advise you about local hiking and to show you around their sheep farm. They have three choices of comfortable and clean rooms with shared bathroom, a sociable shared lounge and kitchen where guests can come together and cook, and all with free WiFi throughout. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “We really enjoyed our stay at Peel Forest Farm! It’s a working cattle and sheep farm and we loved the atmosphere there! Quiet, calm, perfect place to relax and enjoy nature, do some hikes or just chill on the terrace. We just loved it!…” “The peace and quiet of a real country farm…I couldn’t have ask for more. It was exactly what I was hoping to find!…” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT PEEL FOREST FARM:   READ MORE

The Donnybrook Eco-Retreat is an off-grid property that provides luxury, safari style, glamping tents in 100 acres of gorgeously peaceful, lush Hunter Valley countryside. THE ACCOMMODATION: There are three tents in total, all of which are doubles with queen size bed. One, the Billabong tent is self-contained with its own kitchenette, and sits by itself by a dam while the other two, the Valley View & Hill View, sit near each other on a small hillside. The latter two tents are linked by raised decks and separated by a lovely cedar clad yurt which has a well equipped kitchen and dining area for the use of guests in both tents. If looking for splendid isolation some might find them a little too close to each other and so will be happier with the Billabong tent, but they do allow for some degree of socializing with other guests if you so wish. Check out your options on the booking page here. The accommodation is self catering but a farm fresh breakfast pack is included in the rate and, as the name suggests, features some organic products straight from their own farm. You’ll find the surrounds remarkably peaceful, especially if you’re coming from Sydney. Feel free to wander around the 100 acres of bush and grassland with its farm animals; sheep, ducks, miniature goats and hens, and a huge amount of local wildlife. You can take a swim in the indoor swimming pool (seasonal), borrow a bike from the retreat, go kayaking or fishing too, and of course there is lots to see in the surrounds; the iconic Hunter Valley. Note: There is no Wifi at the retreat. PRICES: Check out all the details – prices, reviews & more photos on the booking page here. THE LOCATION: Donnybrook Eco is close to the Hunter River and within a half an hour’s drive of some of the most well known towns in the area; Maitland, Paterson and Morpeth for eg., as well as lots of its most famous wineries and restaurants. The journey by car from Sydney should take less than two hours. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Such a lovely spot with a great view, READ MORE

A family friendly, organic, permaculture farmstay in Margaret River, Western Australia, Burnside Organic Farm is a busy place with a vineyard & winery, vegetable & fruit gardens, plus farm animals including pigs, geese and hens. THE ACCOMMODATION: Their solar powered, self catering bungalows are a mixture of one and two bedrooms that can host up to five people. All of them have a full kitchen, a lounge with flat-screen TV with DVD player, laundry facilities and some bungalows have a spa bath. Outside there is plenty of space to dine or just to relax, with some hammocks, swings, seating and barbecues. Note: Free WiFi is available in the main building but not in the bungalows. THE FARM: The farm is certified organic and biodynamic, and is mainly occupied with the production of wine and avocados. There is a winery at the farm stay too and guests can take a tour and learn a little about the making of its very good organic wines; zinfandel and vermentino, red and white. They also have some beehives at the farm, olive groves, and orchards of citrus fruit and apples. The animals include pigs, hens and geese and guests are free to interact with and feed them and are also welcome to take some of the great range of vegetables and herbs from the garden for cooking with. The friendly owners are generally on hand to advise on the best things to pick in season and they can give some cooking tips too. THE LOCATION: For those of you not familiar with the Margaret River, it is one of Australia’s best regions for rural tourism, stretching out over 100 square miles its centrepoint is the town of Margaret River itself, a lovely relaxed town which has a strong surfing culture but also lot of great restaurants, art galleries, craft shops and cafes. There are many wineries in the region, Burnside Farm included, and consistently makes some of Australia’s best wines. The farm stay is right beside the Keenan State Forest, which is a wonderful place for hiking and wildlife spotting. It’s about 10 minutes by car from Surfers Point, and all that beautiful coastline, READ MORE

In Calabria, Italy with beautiful views of the Ionian Sea, Masseria Cielogreco is a historic farmhouse set in 80 hectares of private land that produces its own olive oil, fruit and vegetables. And it is just 800 metres from the nearest beach. Masseria Cielogreco is composed of the manor house, where the owners live, and other rustic buildings including the old stables. The self catering apartments are all air conditioned and have a kitchenette and patio for outdoor dining. And there is always plenty of delicious homemade food to be sampled in the farm’s kitchen. Surrounded by olive groves and pine trees, the setting is blissfully peaceful but is just 1 km from Amendolara Marina which is a lovely little place to stroll around and where you will find some nice shops, cafes and restaurants. The ground floor of the manor house is also available for conferences, concerts and other meetings and you can also arrange bike hire (free of charge) and horse riding in the surrounding area. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Perfect in every way. I highly recommend a stay with this wonderful couple. They make you feel so special when it is really them that is special. They make you feel so welcome and at home….” “This b&b is like a castle in the sky. The accommodation is rustic looking but very comfortable and well equipped. There are gorgeous views in every direction. The owners are delightful and generous of their time and attention to your wishes….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO CIELOGRECO:   READ MORE

Paradise farm is a friendly, homely, organic farm stay near Miami, Florida and just 10 minute’s drive from the Everglades National Park. The farmstay is an interesting place, it produces a range of organic vegetables, fruits, herbs and even edible flowers which they sell to local restaurants and specialist food outlets. Though it’s beside the town of Homestead and all modern conveniences, it is a wholly peaceful rural retreat full of tropical plants and wildlife and makes for a very relaxing break. The Accommodation: They have a choice of four self catering cottages and bungalows for up to eight people. All of them are spacious, clean and though well equipped and modern they fit very nicely into the surrounding nature filled gardens and farm. You’ll have a full kitchen there plus a lounge & dining area and varying numbers of bedrooms, and there is WiFi throughout. The Farm: The farm and gardens are beautifully designed with a gazebo and a natural pool and contain many exotic plant species and local wildlife, especially birdlife. The farm is small but produces a good amount of organic produce; ginger, mint and basil, oyster mushrooms, many root vegetables, a range of tropical fruit including bananas, mangoes, avocados and carambola, and honey. The farm produce is well known in the Miami area and they sell to some of the city’s top restaurants as well as local food stores. The owners are enthusiastic organic farmers who are always happy to show guests around the farm and let them sample some of their healthy produce. The Location: As mentioned the farmstay is near Miami, about 40 miles in fact and so is pretty easy to reach. It is also very close to both the Everglades and Biscayne National Park, and nearer still are such points of interest as Knaus Berry Farm, Fruit Spice Park, Schnebly’s Winery and the Redland Tropical Trail. The owners will have plenty of advice about what to do and see in the local area and you can also hire bikes for free direct from the farm. READ MORE

Cas Gasi Boutique Hotel is a luxury hideaway surrounded by carob, almond and fig trees, olive groves and vegetable gardens on a small organic farm in rural Ibiza. The surrounding countryside is peaceful and quaint but still conveniently near Ibiza City/Old Town and some of the island’s best beaches (around 15 minutes drive). With some top quality food, excellent spa facilities and the highest levels of service, you will find yourself very much pampered. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have a choice of ten rooms and suites, to sleep up to four people, and all of which are clean and comfortable, and elegantly furnished in a chic, bohemian style. There is a swimming pool outside, yoga areas, the above mentioned spa with sauna, whirlpool/hot tub, a fully-equipped gym and an outdoor yoga deck. They also offer a range of therapies and treatments from beauty therapy and massage to yoga classes and Naturopathy Nutrition coaching with their own in-house nutritionist. The restaurant is a particular highlight with much, if not most, of the ingredients for their tasty and healthy food coming directly from the organic farm outside. Free range eggs are freshly collected for breakfast in the morning, and a whole range of fruits, herbs and vegetables are harvested daily. Most of the food is farm to table in the least time possible with everything else, meat and seafood for example, locally sourced. They have an on site bar too, and an extensive wine list too with a great selection of international wines. THE LOCATION: In the heart of rural Ibiza, Cas Gasi Agroturismo is a true hideaway. You’ll find the surrounding countryside peaceful and quiet, a world away from the many touristic hotspots around the island. Ibiza being small though you can still be in the old town in around 15 minutes by car, and around the same to San Antonio and some of the island’s most popular beaches too. This being a luxury agroturismo you can avail of the concierge services for such things like booking restaurants and clubs, boat tours, various excursions shuttle services, taxis, childcare etc. And of course you can get all the best advice about what to do and where READ MORE

This very highly rated self catering farm stay is on a 300 acre farm in Byron Bay, Australia; in the heart of New South Wales’ Northern Rivers region. Being also near the historic town of Bangalow and just south of Brisbane, Queensland’s Gold Coast it has an excellent location. They have both one and two bedroom cottages and all are fully self contained with kitchen, bathroom and a lounge with TV and Dvd. They each have a lovely private verandah with views of the rainforest or the lake. You can take a canoe or rowing boat out on to the lake, or swim or fish, and there are plenty of nice hiking and mountain bike trails within the farm’s borders and beyond. The farm has animals of course, horses, hens and cows for example and guests, including children can feel welcome to help out with the feeding etc. Note: It’s recommended you come here with a vehicle as there’s no public transport between the village and the farm! WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “We could not rate it any higher as a place to stay, we will definitely be back for another stay at the cottages….” “Such beautiful views, extremely friendly owners, it was a perfect relaxing getaway for our girls weekend….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT BYRON BAY FARM STAY:     READ MORE

This cute farmstay in Mörlenbach, Hessen, between Frankfurt and Mannheim is very close to one of Germany‘s most enchanting cities, Heidelberg, and offers self catering accommodation on a working farm surrounded by beautiful meadowland and fields of horses. All rooms have a TV and free WiFi, and there’s a nice outside playground for the kids.   READ MORE

  Hall Farm hotel is set on acres of quiet, peaceful farmland on the edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds. It has its own bistro-style restaurant and luxury rooms with satellite TV, WiFi, and super comfortable beds. Each luxury room is individually decorated and furnished. They have luxury bedding, soft towels and bathrobes. Every room has a large, flat-screen TV with Freesat satellite TV. The granite and stone luxury bathrooms have surround sound, large baths and toiletries from L’Occitane. A full English breakfast is available each day, plus their high quality restaurant serves the best of local food all day. READ MORE

Just outside Olbia, northern Sardinia, Italy, this highly rated, very popular, agriturismo farm stay has comfortable self catering holiday cottages in a beautifully relaxed environment with horses, donkeys and goats. All of their cottages come with kitchenette, private bathroom, a lounge with TV, and WiFi throughout. There is a daily maid service too, plus laundry and ironing service. They have an on-site restaurant serving the finest of local food, to be eaten there or in the well kept gardens and terrace and there are barbecue facilities on the lawn plus a children’s playground. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “A highlight of our trip – not to be missed! Fantastic agriturismo immersed in nature with plenty of friendly cats and dogs! An ideal base for exploring Sardinia’s eastern coast….” “An amazing stay at a fantastic property. The location was secluded, quiet, and peaceful. Definitely book a night at the restaurant if it is open. The meal was homemade local Sardinian specialties, and the price was too good to be true….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO SA MENDHULA:   READ MORE

This lively eco-friendly farmhouse stay in the village of Pömling, just 5 km from Melk Abbey in the heart of some typically beautiful lower Austrian countryside. The working farm has a whole range of animals; cattle, pigs, horses and ponies, with both horse & pony riding is available, and even a herd of red deer. They also have some smaller pets that children will love like guinea pigs and rabbits, and kids will also appreciate the outdoor playground and the natural bowling alley. The accommodation is in the form of self catering apartments which are all spacious and comfortable, and come with fully equipped kitchens and lounges with satellite TV. They also all have balconies with nice views over the gardens and the surrounding, beautifully rural, countryside. Guests at farmhouse can buy some of the many homemade farm products that the friendly owners produce on site and for other supplies there is a supermarket just 2km away. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “The studio was beautiful, atmosphere of the farm since it’s far away from Vienna was absolutely calming. Nature surrounds you, life is so simple and beautiful. The family who owns the farm are very nice people. The animals especially the horses are beautiful just to watch them. The walk outside the farm all the way to the plantations and forest is just stunning….” “Gorgeous sunny place with the lot of history, great place for children, the owners were fantastic. Incredible sauna…” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT BAUER & WIRT LANGTHALER:     READ MORE

This popular dude ranch is just outside Sandpoint Idaho, U.S.A., in the middle of beautiful surroundings with great trails for horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking, sleighing and winter sports, especially cross country skiing. There’s plenty to do at the farmhouse too with evening entertainment, a cosy shared lounge, a recreation room, an outdoor hot tub, a library, a children’s playground as well as meeting and banquest facilities. All of their cosy comfortable rooms have private bathroom and WiFi as standard and come with free breakfast, while their western style self-catering log cabins come with the same plus full kitchen and lounge but minus the breakfast. READ MORE

Just inside the stunning Killarney National Park, Co. Kerry, Ireland, surrounded by woodland, lakes and mountains, Muckross Riding Stables is a local centre for horse riding while also providing B&B accommodation at the farmhouse. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have a range of B&B rooms that can fit from one to five people, and all are spacious and clean with private bathroom, study desk and flat screen TV. There is also a shared lounge area at the farmhouse, you’ll find WiFi throughout the building, and outside a nice patio/seating area and a children’s playground. THE FARM: The main activity here is of course horse riding. They cater for all levels of experience and can offer lessons as well as short and long trips both around the farm and into the national park on both horses and ponies. Along with the horses though they keep many more animals; sheep, goats, ducks, and even some pot bellied pigs. They’re all pretty friendly to both adults and children and you can introduce yourself to them at the pet farm. THE LOCATION: The stables are just 4 kilometers outside the centre of Killarney, which has been welcoming a huge amount of visitors for years now, and mainly because of the fantastic scenery that surrounds it. In its adjoining national park you’ll find acres of ancient oak woodland, rugged mountain scenery, lakes, rivers and waterfalls. The park is also a sanctuary for wildlife and is the home to rare pine martins, red squirrels and Ireland’s last indigenous herd of red deer to name but a few. Beyond Killarney, Co.Kerry has even more to offer; the wildly scenic Dingle Peninsula and the town of Dingle is off to the north west, while to the south west you can journey through the mountains of the McGillicuddy Reeks or around the famous tourist trail known as the Ring of Kerry, which begins and ends in Killarney. It passes south from there through the town of Kenmare and on around the coast through picturesque small towns like Sneem, Cahirsiveen and Killorglin. If you do want to explore the area and take a break from the kids for a bit, the friendly owners at READ MORE

Near the beautiful city of Carcassonne, in the old Languedoc Roussillon region (now Occitanie) of France. This lovely, very friendly, boutique vineyard hotel is surrounded by the farm’s own grapevines and guests are free to wander the vineyards and enjoy wine tasting in the company of the extremely knowledgeable hosts. The rooms here are super clean and comfortable with private bathroom and WiFi but the real draw here is the wine and the food. The hosts are very enthusiastic about both, and they are great cooks. They produce some amazing meals shared by all the guests in an informal atmosphere, and washed down of course with generous helpings of their own quality wine. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “The hosts made us feel like family. Wonderful, delicious meals. Very comfortable bed. We would love to stay there again!…” “Fantastic location. Fantastic facilities. Fantastic food. Fantastic people! Loved the tour and my wine has been delivered already! Thank you….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT  O’VINEYARDS B&B:   READ MORE

In a sunny, south facing valley on the West Somerset side of Exmoor National Park, England, this is a quaint, very homely farmstay on a very large working farm surrounded by some of the West Country’s most evocative scenery. The Accommodation: They have 6 comfortable, clean rooms with TV, WiFi and tea and coffee making facilities. They also have a nice shared lounge with a cosy fireplace, board games and plenty of books. The friendly farm owners know how to look after their guests and are happy to indulge you with some good local food in the dining room, with some ingredients from the farm itself, and not just for breakfast; they serve some fine 3 course evening meals too, and a supply of tea and homemade cakes throughout the day You’re welcome to stroll around the well tended gardens, and the farm, or take a swim in their outdoor heated swimming pool. They’ve also got a tennis court for you to use and you even try some archery or clay pigeon shooting on the farm too. The Farm: The farm is a full 420 acres of beautiful meadow and pasture land, with pockets of woodland and its own spring water. It has lovely views over the West Somerset countryside, Exmoor Park, and as far as the Bristol Channel to the north. The Location: The surrounding area is famously beautiful, one of England’s natural wonders, and there are loads of opportunities for hiking and long country walks. The hosts can arrange guided walks through Exmoor and the nearby Brandon Hills as well as bike rental, fly fishing and horse riding trips from nearby stables. There are a host of lovely villages around too, including historic Dunster, possibly the nicest village in Exmoor, with many of its buildings dating back hundreds of years times, including the famous Yarn Market. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “The farm is beautiful, peaceful and lovely. The room and the bathroom are absolute comfortable and clean. Diana and her husband are charming and welcoming. I would love to go back. Dinner was excellent and great value. Their wine list and prices are good, dessert and cheeses notable….” READ MORE

Mandra Edera is a charming and peaceful B&B agriturismo farm stay near Abbasanta in central Sardinia, Italy, that specializes in cooking classes & horse riding; it has been a breeding farm for Anglo-Arabian horses for over 100 years now and they roam freely around the property. THE ACCOMMODATION: Their rooms and suites are all clean, comfortable and simply and tastefully presented in traditional style with cedar wood furniture, wood beamed ceilings and exposed brick walls, and they all come with private bathroom, air conditioning and a mini bar. Outside in the large gardens they have a swimming pool, lots of sun loungers and a terrace area with plenty of outdoor dining space. They have a small restaurant and bar at the property and the food, including the free breakfast, is generous and high quality, they serve up a range of traditional local and mainland Italian dishes with ingredients locally sourced as much as possible. THE FARM: Being an important horse breeding centre they have a number of the beautiful Anglo-Arabian horses to be admired at the farm. Horse riding excursions and lessons are a big activity for guests but they can also arrange cycling excursions as well as different archeological, nature, gastronomy and wine tours of the surrounding area. Cooking classes can be arranged at the farm stay too where you can learn how to cook some classic, age-old Sardinian recipes. THE LOCATION: The farm stay is located in the north eastern part of Oristano province, almost at the very centre of Sardinia. This is very much rural country, sparsely populated, with sleepy villages and small farms where lifestyles have not changed much for decades if not centuries. You’ll find it a world away from many of the classic tourist resorts of coastal Sardinia, and indeed even coastal Oristano is almost free of mass tourism having some beautifully pristine, semi isolated stretches of beach that are a rarity in much of the rest of Sardinia. Like the rest of Sardinia, Oristano has plenty of ancient history, with some relatively unknown but historically important sites to be seen. The ruins of the ancient Phoenician coastal city of Tharros for example, or the two READ MORE

This lovely, North Island, family friendly, farm stay has great views over the Firth of Thames and the Coromandel mountain ranges and is home to many animals; sheep, horses, hens, pigs and a goat. You’re more than welcome to watch or help out with looking after the animals. The friendly owners have ponies too that can be ridden, and there are several lovely hiking and walking trails in and around the farm. Accommodation is in the form of very comfortable self-catering cottages with full kitchen and WiFi and there’s also a communal lounge area which offers a 3D TV, and an great outdoor barbecue area. The surrounding area is beautifully scenic, nearby the Coromandel mountains and Tararu Bay only about 8 minutes away by car. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Absolutely stunning views from the farm down to Thames bay over the lush forest. A very quiet and secluded place like nothing we have seen before….” “A slice of paradise….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT FOR NIGHTINGALE FALLS RETREAT:   READ MORE

Just outside the lovely village of Godshill, this is a very peaceful Isle of Wight farmstay with self catering accommodation on a lovely organic farm surrounded by lush green countryside. The Accommodation: They have lovely self catering cottages as well as a glamping style shepherds hut on the farm. You’ll find them all to be clean, comfortable and tastefully furnished. The cottages have two and three bedrooms, a lounge area with flat screen TV and WiFi, bathrooms and a private entrance. The Shepherds Hut is one double bedroom and though obviously a little tight on space it still has a small kitchenette and seating area, and a wood burning stove. It has hot water too and its own private compostable toilet, and you are welcome to use the shower and kitchen facilities at the farmhouse. Though the accommodation is self catering a nice breakfast can be arranged at the main farmhouse each morning for an extra charge. The Farm: The farm is particularly nice, with classic Isle of Wight meadow fields, an orchard grove and a range of animals including  horses, sheep, llamas and pigs. There is plenty of outdoor space to relax around the farm too and guests can explore as much as they like and get to meet some of the animals. You’ll find a millpond at the farm too which attracts a wide variety of wildfowl. The Location: The Isle Of Wight, and particularly this location, has much to offer the visitor. The farmstay is right outside the picturesque village of Godshill and within easy reach of many attractions, and a good base for many activities; country walks, cycling, coarse angling, horse riding and golf. The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary for example, is a nice, novel day out, especially for children, and just a mile away from the farmstay, while the Ventnor Botanic Garden is about five miles away. The chalk cliffs and downs of the lovely Tennyson Coast, and the Isle of Wight Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty too are less than 20 minutes drive. Golfers can use the nearby Ventnor golf course, and there is also a horse riding school in the local area, just ask READ MORE

Agriturismo Le Fontane has an absolutely stunning setting on the shores of Lake Iseo, near Brescia in Lombardy, northern Italy. It is very much a boutique hotel with just four rooms to choose from, and you can enjoy gorgeous views from the terrace outside your door, from the gardens or from the infinity swimming pool just in front. It is very much a place for lounging and relaxing but there are plenty of activities to enjoy too; the beach is just three minutes walk away and you can also enjoy guided tours of the farm, fruit and vegetable picking, nature walks and hikes along the Antica Strada Valeriana, and of course boat tours around the lake and to the stunning Monte Isola Island. You can also enjoy the excellence of the in-house chef who uses the best locally sourced ingredients to great effect, from breakfast to lavish evening meals and washed down with some of Brescia’s and Lombardy’s finest Franciacorta wine. THE ACCOMMODATION: The agriturismo accomodation, just four B&B rooms in total, is lake side and just away from the main farmhouse where the restaurant is located. The rooms are set around the swimming pool with the gardens just to the side, and they all have fabulous, almost uninterrupted, views over the lake and the island. The block is modern, and internally has more in common with a modern city hotel than a stereotypical rustic agriturismo. Facilities are also what you would expect from a modern hotel, WiFi, flat screen satellite TV and some nice spacious private bathrooms. All the rooms are bright, clean and super comfortable, and all are supplied with nonallergenic soft furnishing and bedding materials. They also come with a small terrace seating area outside, from where, not to press the point too much, the views are a real treat. The small farm produces various fruits, vegetables and herbs and is surrounded by hazelnut and olive trees. You’re welcome to stroll around the farm and you can also arranged guided tours with the always friendly farm owners and/or the chef. The food here, as mentioned previously is another major attraction. It is traditional but creative and beautifully READ MORE

This peaceful, friendly farm stay near Sydney NSW, overlooks the Kangaroo Valley and has lodge style accommodation on a working horse & cattle farm with some really gorgeous views of the surrounding countryside. Horse riding is a big feature at the farmstay; you can arrange lessons and trail rides that are among Australia‘s most beautiful, into the Morton National Park right next door for example, through rainforests and even right up to the top of Mt. Moollootoo. Kids too can enjoy a ride on one of their ponies. THE ACCOMMODATION: The self catering accommodation is in the form of old style timber lodges; the bigger lodge can accommodate up to eight people, with two separate double bedrooms and four single bunk beds in the lounge area. There are also two bathrooms, a fully equipped open plan kitchen and lounge with an open log fire, and there’s a barbecue area just outside the door. The smaller mini lodge has an open plan lounge & kitchen, bathroom and a mezzanine level above with a queen size bed. The sofa in the lounge area also opens out into a double bed so it can a fit a total of four people. There’s a barbecue area just outside the door too. Note: For a digital detox there is no WiFi! PRICES: Check out all the details – prices, reviews & more photos on the booking page here. THE FARM: It’s a working farm with a herd of cattle and dozens of horses. The owners are horse experts and enthusiasts, and have years of experience of horse riding, teaching and exploring the local area on horseback. The farm itself leads on to Mt. Moollootoo and has sections of open pasture land, rainforest and open bush that leads into Morton National Park. All of which makes it a really special place for horse riding and there are dozens of fantastic trails that the owners are always happy to guide you around. You can head up through the rainforest to the top of Mt Moollootoo from where the views are simply spectacular, taking in Morton Park, the Kangaroo River & Lake Yurunga. They have a few friendly READ MORE

  In the heart of Fethiye’s countryside, this organic farm stay has eco-friendly accommodation and a taste of traditional village life with outdoor activities for both children and adults. Pastoral Vadi is committed to the health of the environment and its guests. This unique farm property features organic vegetable plots, farmyard animals and a rustic ambience. A stay at Pastoral Vadi is a true learning experience. The friendly staff includes guests in all aspects of the farm and runs seasonal workshops, such as photography and yoga. Pastoral Vadi’s charming bungalows are made from stone, mud-brick or wood. Each one has been ecologically designed and all waste and used water is recycled. The produce used for meals has been grown on the farm or supplied by local farmers. Staff will teach guests how to prepare traditional Mediterranean cuisine. Children will find plenty to keep them entertained. There is a lovely animal farm and children’s arts and crafts workshops. They can also help out with tasks around the farm. Enjoy a relaxing escape from the stresses of 21st-century life in Yaniklar Village. Indulge in culture and art workshops and agricultural activities. Visit the local beach, just 10 minutes away. READ MORE

Farm Stay Barenhof, set in the rolling hills of Hessen, Germany, between Frankfurt and Mannheim and close to the famously beautiful city of Heidelberg, has comfortable self-catering accommodation in cute wooden huts. It’s family friendly with plenty of farmland to explore and cows and horses for the kids to meet, plus a playground and barbecue facilities in the garden. There is free WiFi and TV in every unit. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “It was relaxing, cozy, natural and fantastic. The house is very comfortable, everything is available from coffee machine to toilet paper and towels. Really super good…..” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT FARM STAY BARENHOF: READ MORE

Brown Cow Farm Stay, on New Zealand’s North Island is located just off the State Highway, five minutes outside the town of Levin and 60 miles north of Wellington City.  It has a very nice, spacious self catering apartment on its lively farm with added amenities like an outdoor swimming pool and a hot tub for guests to enjoy, and it more than makes a great stopover for visitors on their way south to Wellington and NZ’s South Island. THE ACCOMMODATION: The apartment has one double bedroom with king size bed but it’s also family friendly and the owners can provide two extra fold out beds/mattresses and bedding for a total of two adults and two children to stay. The living room is a very good size and there is a very well equipped kitchen too. The apartment is completely private and self contained, and guests can have as much or as little privacy as they want. It has its own veranda with hot tub and gardens with plenty of seating, an outdoor swimming pool (heated from mid November to April) and a children’s playground. The farm is a fun and interesting place to explore and you’ll find the farm owners super friendly and always willing to show guests around. It’s also right next to the apartment’s gardens and you can hand feed the animals across the fence. THE FARM: The farm was originally supposed to be just a daffodil farm, and the owners do keep and harvest some in the spring time (Sept-Oct) but it has now also evolved into a home for alpacas, sheep, goats, pigs, hens, rabbits and of course the, by now famous, Brown Cow! Guests can have plenty of interaction with the animals and you’ll find them all very friendly and placid. THE LOCATION: As mentioned it can be a great stopping off point for those on the trail to the South Island or for those looking for a rural retreat near Wellington, just 60 miles away. The nearest village is Ohau just two minute’s drive up the road with the larger town of Levin being about 5 minutes. The apartment is self catering but you’ll find READ MORE

Among the rich vineyards of the Pays de la Loire , France, this very beautiful, rustic farm stay is in an old manor house surrounded by lawns, vineyards, a small organic farm and 100 year old woodland. THE ACCOMMODATION: Their 5 tastefully decorated rooms are comfortable and clean and have a certain old world elegance. They have private bathroom and WiFi and look out onto the the gardens, the farm and the lake, A very nice continental breakfast is served every morning and your hosts can also cook you some really fantastic regional cuisine some of which is made using the farm’s own produce. The owners used to run a restaurant in Paris and you will certainly not be disappointed by the food. THE FARM: The farm has a variety of animals, including horses, hens and peacocks. There is also an organic vegetable garden and a winery where the owners make their own range of organic wines. The owners are passionate about wine, and food, and love to show guests around the winery, allowing them to taste the produce and educate themselves a little on the delicate craft of organic winemaking. And they also organizes tours and visits to neighbouring vineyards. THE LOCATION: The Château borders the 100 kilometer wide Loire-Anjou-Touraine Regional Natural Park, which roughly follows the Loire River between Angers and Langeais. It’s a lovely area to explore with stretches of forest, hills and waterways interspersed with small farms and scenic towns. Candes-Saint-Martin is one such town with a lovely position overlooking the convergence of the Loire and Vienne rivers, the historic Chinon too is worth a visit, as is Crissay-sur-Manse, usually near the top of any kind of France’s prettiest villages type list. There is also the Chateau Azay-le-Rideau in the town of the same name, which is a bit special due to its location right on the banks of the Indre river. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “We wanted peace and quiet and we found it. Wonderful room and property overall. Superb breakfast, Nicole is the most generous hostess. A perfect weekend….” “Beautiful surroundings. Spacious and comfy bedroom. Amazing host. Great breakfast full of homemade goodies….” >> CLICK READ MORE

This lovely farmhouse B&B in Southern Aquitaine, France, has a beautiful setting in the foothills of the Pyrenees, just 15 km from Oloron-Sainte-Marie. All its comfortable rooms have private bathroom and come with mountain views. The common lounge area is comfortable and cosy with an open fireplace and dining room and outside they have a lovely large garden with a terrace and a swimming pool. They serve a very nice, mainly organic, French breakfast at La Ferme aux Sangliers, and you can also arrange meals to be prepared by the friendly owners from the farm’s own produce. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Amazing host! Fabulous location and accommodation. We loved it. We will be back again….” “Lovely views. Interesting to meet a couple who appear to be totally self-sufficient….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT LA FERME AUX SANGLIERS:     READ MORE

Set within the boundaries of the the iconic North Yorkshire Moors, England, and very near both Scarborough and Whitby, this quality Yorkshire farmstay has 4-star accommodation on a full 200 acres of farmland in beautiful Harwood Dale. It is a blissfully peaceful setting ideal for a relaxing getaway. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have a nice selection of comfortable rooms which all come with en suite bathroom, TV and WiFi. The farm’s tearooms and restaurant serves up great home made local food including a legendary Sunday roast. There is a games room and playground for the kids at the farm too, and they also even have a garden centre selling a good assortment of plants, seeds and flowers. Outside there are gardens and a small lake right in front of the farmhouse. THE FARM: The farm is a full 200 acres of prime Yorkshire countryside and contains a herd of rare highland cattle, even more rare curly haired pigs, sheep, ponies, hens and ducks. All the animals are friendly and well behaved and are well used to attention from guests. THE LOCATION: For those of you not yet familiar with God’s own country, and especially the vast North Yorkshire Moors, it is one of England’s most evocative and beautiful regions, and the Grainary Farmstay has a superb location sitting cosily among the green fields and woodlands of Harwood Dale between the Moors and the North Sea coast. There are a huge amount of great places for walking, hiking and cycling around the area, with one of the numerous highlights being the atmospheric Harwood Dale Forest a great place to find all sorts of native wildlife, and just a few minutes away from the farmstay. The coast is very near too and you can explore some of beautiful coastal paths with views over the North Sea. Both Scarborough and Whitby are less than 20 minutes drive away. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Beautiful setting, lovely comfortable room and friendly staff. Second time I have visited and so happy to have returned. Only wish I could have stayed longer….” “The property is lovely in every way. The breakfast had lots of choice, to every taste. My children READ MORE

Near the city of Calgary, Alberta, Canada this is a friendly guest ranch/farm stay B&B that is very popular for its horseback riding, its spa and its top quality food. Paola herself is a qualified chef from Italy and you can expect the breakfast to be great. She is happy to adjust the menu to accommodate any dietary restrictions and on request and for an extra charge she can also serve some really fantastic and good value evening meals. She also provides excellent cooking classes too. There’s a common lounge area with a TV and cosy fireplace and of course there are the spa services, including massage to be enjoyed. Day long trail rides on horse back can be arranged too and you are also welcome to join in on Paola’s cooking classes. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Wonderful. Breakfast was unique and amazing. Host was friendly. Room and home were immaculate….” “Rested, secure, happy, content. Liked the kind sincere asking questions about our Blackfoot Confederacy culture and sharing of their Italian culture….” >>CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT PAOLA BEAUTY FARM: READ MORE

Outside Marçà, in the wine-producing Priorat area of Catalonia, Mas Figueres has comfortable B&B rooms on a working vineyard just over a half an hour from Barcelona Reus Airport. They have a wine shop on site where you can buy wine to take home and the friendly owners also offer tours of the vineyards as well as wine tasting sessions. The food is excellent too with plenty of local produce including vegetables straight from their own farm. All rooms have private bathroom and WiFi and nice views over the vineyards and some also come with a private balcony. There is a swimming pool in the gardens outside and a nice comfortable lounge inside with an open fireplace and TV. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Beautiful place in the countryside, excellent access to local vineyards. Very peaceful and relaxing. Plus, excellent breakfast….” “Great visit, would stay there again! Breakfast was great, with a freshly cooked egg dish plus a good selection of cold items, including meats cheese, bread and fruit. The location was very convenient. The owner, Quima, is incredibly helpful and helps you do everything you want to do by making reservations, providing information, etc. The house itself is lovely, with nice common areas to spend time in….” >>CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT MAS FIGURES:   READ MORE

La Bobadilla Luxury Agroturismo, near to both Granada and the Costa del Sol, Spain, looks, from a distance, like a classic, white washed village tucked away in the hills of Andalusia. Up close all is revealed; a Moorish style palace and a series of old manor farmhouse buildings converted into what is now undoubtedly one of the best luxury hotels in rural Andalusia. The property is gorgeous, the setting equally so, and there is a great range of activities to be enjoyed on its 1000 acre estate; there is an excellent spa, a swimming pool, a gym, a children’s playground, tennis courts, hot tubs, two bars, and three restaurants, one of which is consistently rated as one of Granada’s best. THE ACCOMMODATION: As you’ll see on the booking page, there is a huge range of rooms and suites to choose from, all of which are top of the range luxury. You can expect spacious, individually styled units with wood beamed ceilings, seating areas with plasma TVs & DVD players, and very lavish, marble bathrooms some of which have spa bath/hot tub. Outside they also all have some private space, in the form of a garden, terrace or balcony area. The grounds are beautiful, as mentioned, the entire property has the look and feel of a traditional Andalusian village and is a lovely place to wander around, both the ‘Village’ itself, and the 1000 estate on which it stands, with its lush gardens, olive groves and oak woodlands, and its lovely views of the surrounding countryside. You can hire bikes, and quad bikes, from the hotel and arrange horse riding, guided tours etc. If you have the kids in tow and you would like some freedom you can also leave them at the Mini Club, where they will be looked after with games and activities supervised by the staff. Among the three restaurants La Finca is the most famous and offers fine dining in an elegant atmosphere (Dress code alert: no shorts, tee shirts or trainers). It has won several accolades over the years for its seasonal Spanish/Andalusian, mainly organic fare and is Granada Province’s only five star restaurant. There are READ MORE

In the heart of the Rhineland’s Mosel-Saar-Ruwer wine region, and 20 minutes from one of Germany‘s oldest cities Trier, Weingut Weis is a 4 star vineyard hotel with an emphasis on relaxation and good food. There is a spa and wellness centre on site; a Finnish sauna, hot tubs and a whole range of services from massages to aromatherapy and facial manicures. It has a variety of comfortable modern rooms and suites, with cable TV, WiFi and private bathroom, and the food and wine at the on-site restaurant is top class; there is a fine buffet breakfast every morning and throughout the day you will find a nice selection of Rhineland and German specialities, including of course some of the famous Mosel wines from their own winery. The surrounding area is indeed popular for wine, but also for cycling; if all the relaxation gets too much there are many well known cycle routes all around and the staff can advise you on this plus the hotel also provides bikes for hire. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Superb: Overall a great stay. Staff was great and extra helpful. Room was clean and the breakfast was fantastic….” “Location was perfect, just a short bus ride into Trier. Nice big room, very clean and well equipped. Tasty breakfast buffet and helpful reception staff. Walking distance to a local restaurant….” >>CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT WEINGUT WEIS: READ MORE

Hochhubergut is a typical Upper-Austrian farm-house in a beautifully quiet location 5 km from the centre of Aschach an der Steyr. All rooms and apartments come with a modern bathroom, parquet flooring and free Wi-Fi. Apartments come with a fully equipped kitchen including a dishwasher and all units feature a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. You can also make use of the large garden with a pond. Cross-country skiing trails and a toboggan run can be found right next to Hochhubergut. The nearest restaurants are 3 km away and a supermarket can be found in the centre of Aschach. The scenic towns of Steyr and Bad Hall are 15 km away. The Hinterstoder Ski Area can be reached by car in 45 minutes. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Fantastic stay: fantastic panoramic views; modern rooms: high quality equipment, friendly owners…..” “Amazing view over the hills. The apartment was really nice and clean. The owner is very friendly and gave us some great tips for the rest of our trip through Austria….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT HOCHHUBERGUT:     READ MORE

On a small farm near Pickering, North Yorkshire, U.K, this popular family run farmstay has a great selection of stylish B&B rooms in an 18th century farmhouse plus self catering cabins. They serve a great English breakfast with some of the finest local ingredients, including free-range eggs direct from their own farm, which guests are free to explore. All their rooms and cabins are clean, spacious and comfortable and come with en suite bathroom, seating area, fridge, tea and coffee making facilities and flat-screen TV and DVD player while the cabins come with all the above plus a kitchen. There is a very nice garden at the property too with outside furniture and an extensive children’s playground. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Absolutely fabulous and look forward to staying again. The accommodation and surrounding area were fabulous . Beautiful lodge set on the lake. Very clean , luxurious interior and facilities. We were disappointed we weren’t staying longer….” “Lovely just lovely perfect for families with children, or a romantic get away. Close to all shops/amenities yet secluded. Would definitely recommend to anyone….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT BARKER STAKES FARM: READ MORE

Allegretto is a, very much luxury, vineyard hotel in the Paso Robles Wine Country, California. The stunning, Mediterranean inspired, property sits amidst acres of beautiful gardens, orchards and vineyards, and blends some of Paso Robles’, and California’s, best wine and food with excellent spa facilities and a very European sense of style and class. THE ACCOMMODATION: The have a choice of top quality rooms and suites, many of them with their own private patio area or balcony. You can expect all the usual upmarket hotel features; comfortable beds, air-con, cable TV, WiFi, mini bar & fridge, coffee maker and some very plush bathrooms. The stunning property, though quite new, has all the aesthetics of an aristocratic Tuscan villa but with modern hotel infrastructure. There is plenty of common space throughout the hotel, living rooms and terraces with lots of space for relaxing or socializing. They have excellent spa facilities; massage, body scrubs, aromatherapy and more on offer, and in the beautifully tended gardens, an outdoor swimming pool, a hot tub and a bocce ball court The food here, at the Cello Ristorante & Bar, is exceptional; they have a nice range of Tuscan and Italian influenced dishes with the ingredients locally sourced as much as possible, and some coming from the chef’s own organic gardens. There is also of course a great choice of Paso Robles wines available including their own branded Allegretto wine; from the on site Malbec, Viognier, Tannat, Vermentino, and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. You’ll find all the usual wine tourism activities here too; tasting sessions and vineyard tours etc. Many other activities in the local area can be arranged via the concierge; horseback riding, golf, art tours, visits to other wineries and olive oil producers, exhibitions etc. THE LOCATION: Equidistance from both Los Angeles and San Francisco (around three hours), Paso Robles lesser known of California’s two main vineyard regions, and all the better for it. Just as Perugia is less favored than Tuscany, Paso Robles is equally eclipsed by Napa. But both Perugia and Paso Robles have something that their more illustrious rivals have long since lost. An unhurried, laid back atmosphere that is perfect for those urbanites seeking READ MORE

Guthiddai is an old style Italian Agriturismo near Oliena in the north of Sardinia. It has easy access to the Gennargentu National Park, and is in itself a blissfully peaceful rural escape. It has a range of comfortable rooms with air-conditioning and a private patio that opens onto the well tended gardens and the farm’s olive groves, orchards and vineyards and the owners will be always very happy to show you around and explain how everything works. There is free Wi-Fi all over the building and a TV in the sociable shared lounge. Their hearty Sardinian homemade breakfast has baked bread, local organic jams, cold meats and cakes and they have a very nice restaurant for evening meals and of course you are welcome to sample the farm’s own produce, wine, vegetables and fruit. Agriturismo Guthiddai is in the Nuoro province of Sardinia, a province notable for being what is known in scientific circles as a ‘Blue Zone’, a region where human life expectancy is among the world’s highest. Diet is of course thought to play a major part in this so make sure you get some tips before you leave! WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “What an absolutely incredible stay. The mountains are breathtaking as a backdrop to the house and it is a truly a magical getaway. My husband and I were on our honeymoon and this was by far our favorite place….” “Beautiful peaceful retreat in a wonderful area. Beautiful location, fabulous food, friendly and very professional staff mainly with good English….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO GUTHIDDAI:   READ MORE

Lough Bishop House has a range of comfortable B&B rooms in a 19th Century farmhouse by the shores of Bishop’s Lough in County Westmeath, the very centre of Ireland. This is a family run organic farm with sheep, cattle, bee hives and an orchard, and the friendly owners will cook you a great breakfast in the morning with some of the produce coming straight from their farm. All guests are very welcome to have a look around the farm too and get to meet some of the animals. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “The setting is amazing and the breakfast was absolutely fantastic!…” “Everything is wonderful here, the surroundings, the house, the rooms. Gorgeous breakfast and very gentle owners. Great!…” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT LOUGH BISHOP HOUSE:     READ MORE

Near Emsworth, Hampshire, and close to the cities of Chichester and Portsmouth, this friendly, welcoming farm stay has luxury glamping huts on its 16 acre farm that keeps a number of horses and free range hens. THE ACCOMMODATION: The glamping tents are in the form of yurts, or what some may possibly describe as teepee style. They come with a king size bed and plenty of space both inside and out where you’ll find a nice private decking area with seating and a gas powered barbecue. Inside the yurt there is also a seating/dining area, a mini ‘pop up’ kitchen, wood burning stove, en-suite bathroom and WiFi. The accommodation is self catering but the friendly owners can provide you with breakfast and dinner hampers as required. Note: Only children over the age of 5 are allowed. THE LOCATION: The farm is in the south east of Hampshire, near the town  of Emsworth, a lively market town and a popular venue for sailing, with plenty of cafes, pubs, shops and restaurants.  Wildlife spotters and bird watchers might enjoy a day out at nearby Brook Meadow, a wildlife conservation area with 5 acres of grassland and two small rivers surrounded by woods. The city of Chichester in West Sussex with its 12th century cathedral is just over ten miles away, and around the same distance is the city of Portsmouth. London is about an hour away depending on the traffic and there are also numerous trains running from London and Portsmouth to Emsworth station. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Fab stay! Debbie was so welcoming and accommodating (even running us down some ketchup for our bbq!). The Yurts are lovely inside and get so cosy and warm with the wood burner going 🙂 The setting is picturesque and very peaceful…..” “A private ensuite bathroom with hot running water was a luxury you don’t usually have when camping and toiletries were also supplied which was a pleasant surprise. A huge comfy bed and the indoor and outdoor wood burners ensured we were kept warm after the sun went down….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT THE OLD DAIRY FARM: READ MORE

Just outside the city of Kastamonu, in the Black Sea region of Turkey, Sadibey Hotel has B&B accommodation in a beautiful 130-year old farmhouse mansion surrounded by acres of farmland with horses, sheep and fruit and vegetable gardens. All its rustic, atmospheric rooms come with WiFi, flat screen TV and private bathroom. There is a top quality restaurant and bar at the property too, serving a traditional Turkish buffet breakfast and other meals throughout the day with some of the ingredients coming fresh from the farm. And in the grounds you’ll find a Turkish bath/hamam and also horse stables where you arrange horse riding lessons. The surrounding area is beautiful and great for hiking and cycling, and you can hire bikes from the farm if you need. There are winter sports too at the Ilgaz Ski Centre about 50km away. READ MORE

In the heart of British Columbia, Canada, beside the Kettle Valley Railway and just half an hour from Kelowna city center, Myra Canyon Ranch is a cool mix of farmstay, adventure park and horse riding stable and showcases some lovely modern wooden architecture along the way. It’s very highly rated accommodation, both self-catering and B&B, is super comfortable and clean with each having a private bathroom as well as their own private entrance and patio. Wifi is standard throughout. Outside there’s a hot tub for guests to use and barbecue facilities too. And you can pick up a horse from just outside your front door to ride around the ranch, and there’s also lots of good hiking and mountain biking to be found. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “A relaxing ranch with amazing views. The view from all the rooms are spectacular and the warm, friendly greeting from the hosts made it even more of an enjoyable stay. Especially loved the bathroom that overlooked the city of Kelowna!….” “Amazing views, beautiful property. Getting to see and interact with the animals were bonuses for my kids. We loved everything so much that we changed our plans and asked to extend our stay. The kitchen and BBQ were great to use. One of the best places we’ve stayed at….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT MYRA CANYON GUEST RANCH: READ MORE

Just outside the village of Meaño in Galicia, Spain, and not far from the city of Pontevedra, Eirado Do Pino farmstay has clean and comfortable rooms surrounded by a vineyards and orchards, plus a small animal farm. All their rooms have TV, WiFi and private bathroom, there is a shared lounge and dining room too where you can order some really good, typically Galician meals with plenty of seafood and tapas. Guests are free to roam the farm, visit the on-site winery, and to sample some of the farm’s produce. The friendly owners can also arrange bike hire and horse riding for exploring the surrounding villages and lovely green Galician countryside. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “We loved its location!!! the house between vineyards, the kindness of its owners, Alberto and Inés, and the dinners at the taverna…” “The passionate and pleasant way in which this family runs the business makes you feel at home. The facilities were very good and clean, and the food at the taverna was delicious….” >>CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT EIRADO DO PINO READ MORE

In Pla del Penedès, near Barcelona, and in the heart of Catalonia’s wine region, B&B wine and cooking Penedès specializes in exactly that, producing its own organic wines and cava and offering guests a variety of very good vineyard tours, wine tasting and cooking classes. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have a number of B&B rooms in the nicely renovated 17th-century farmhouse, and all of them are comfortable and clean with WiFi, flat screen TV and private bathroom. And outside there is plenty of space to relax in the terrace and gardens which also have a children’s play area. THE WINE & THE FOOD: The enthusiastic owners offer very good cooking classes (In English, Spanish or Catalan) where you can learn to prepare a range of Catalan and Spanish classic dishes such as Pa amb tomàquet with jamón ibérico, gazpacho, crema catalana and a number of seasonal tapas. Though not professional chefs their food is of a very high quality and they provide a generous buffet breakfast in the morning as well as various meals and snacks throughout the day. Guests are always welcome to tour their vineyard and discover more about the process of organic wine making. They can also arrange tours and tasting sessions at the nearby organic and biodynamic winery; Parés Baltà. You’ll also find an organic shop at the farmstay where you can take home some local wines, cava and olive oil. THE LOCATION: In terms of location, the town of Puigdàlber is less than five minutes away by car, Vilafranca del Penedès around the same. Your nearest beach will be at Sitges, around 20 minutes to the south, while the nearest airport is Barcelona El Prat, at about 50km away. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Could not possibly have been better! It was perfect. A beautifully restored Catalonian rural home, set in the middle of the vineyards of Penedés. Marta, the host, could not possibly have done any more to make our stay more amazing. She organised all of our visits to wineries, provided bikes for us to cycle around, made recommendations for meals, booked taxis, and generally took care of our every need….” “A beautiful location, delicious READ MORE

This very much luxury agriturismo near Florence, in the heart of the Chianti hills, Tuscany, has a history going back to the 14th-century, and a gorgeous hillside setting surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have a broad range of accommodation from standard doubles to family rooms that can sleep up to five and some extra spacious suites. Even the most basic of rooms have a whiff of luxury with the only major difference really being the amount of space on offer. All are stylish, chic, clean and comfortable, and with a mixture of modern and rustic interior design to complement the wood beamed ceilings and frescoed walls of this classic old Tuscan farmhouse. Check out your options on the booking page here.  Every morning you’ll be treated to a great Tuscan style buffet breakfast including cold meats and cheeses, pastries and jams. Agriturismo Salvadonica also has its own small restaurant which serves some quality local food for lunch and dinner and using the farm’s own olive oil and wine. There is a large garden outside which has lovely views over the Chianti Hills, an outdoor swimming pool, and plenty of space for relaxing and dining. If you’re impressed by the food, and most people are, you can join their daily cooking classes where a professional chef will teach you how to create full three course traditional Tuscan and Italian meals. You’ll have access to a tennis court and fitness center at the farm stay too, and they can also organize a whole host of services including massage, concierge, laundry services, a business meeting room, bicycle rental, bicycle tours, horse riding and hot air balloon trips. PRICES: Check out all the details – prices, reviews & more photos on the booking page here. THE FARM & VINEYARD: Salvadonica has a long history as a farm and a manor, and the farmhouse has been lovingly restored in recent years. The farm itself has five acres of olive groves, four acres of vineyard, and over 15 acres left semi natural as park and woodland. It is a beautifully relaxing place to wander around but it’s also a working farm & READ MORE

A classic West Country retreat between Taunton and Bridgwater in the heart of beautiful Somerset; Hunstile Organic Farm has a mixture of B&B and self catering accommodation in a wonderfully atmospheric 15th-century farmhouse surrounded by green fields where the friendly owners keep a number of dairy cattle, pigs and around the farmhouse, hens. They also grow vegetables and medicinal herbs on their fully organic farm, and they serve an award winning breakfast each morning with much of the ingredients coming straight from the farm. All their rooms and self catering apartments are cosy, clean and tastefully furnished, all with private bathroom, flat screen TV and WiFi, and there’s a nice shared lounge at the property too, where you can get drinks and snacks all day. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “100% would stay again…in fact, I have just booked again! Beautiful scenery, very friendly staff, room was spacious and the shower was absolutely to die for. Wish I could’ve stayed a bit longer and seen the pigs/chickens/animals, but had to rush off for work….” “Amazing!! The whole place has a lovely wholesome feel to it, will come back again!…” >>CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT THE HUNSTILE ORGANIC FARM: READ MORE

Agriturismo Casale Degli Ulivi is a top quality farmhouse B&B near Alghero, and the Coral Riviera where you’ll find some of Sardinia’s and indeed Italy’s most beautiful beaches. Their 30 acre farm grows grapes, olives and various fruits and vegetables, their accommodation is modern, clean and comfortable and outside in the well tended gardens you have a hot tub and a swimming pool at your disposal. THE ACCOMMODATION: The farmhouse dates from 1930 but has been completely renovated in 2015 and there they have a range of rooms to sleep up to four people. All of them are quite modern in style though the exposed wood beamed ceilings also give them a nicely rustic farmhouse feel. They are all super clean and comfortable and come with nice private bathrooms too. The property is eco-friendly; the renovations incorporated a photovoltaic system for hot water and heating and overall the building has a A + energy class certificate. Their breakfast is highly rated by guests and it features some of their own farm produce including their own eucalyptus honey and various home made jams. This you can take inside or outside on the lovely veranda overlooking the gardens which have a swimming pool, a hot tub and plenty of space to lounge around or sunbathe. Beyond that there are the grapevines, olive groves and orchards which you are of course free to wander around. THE LOCATION: In the heart of some lovely peaceful countryside, this agriturismo is also just minutes away from the stunning beaches of the Coral Riviera. The lovely, and ever popular, city of Alghero is just 9 km away too, with its international airport even closer at 3 km. Porto Ferro is 4 km away while the incredibly beautiful coastal park of Porto Conte is just 6 km, and there are plenty more beautiful places to see too. You’ll find the friendly owners of Agriturismo Casale Degli Ulivi will have plenty of tips and advice about this wonderful area. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “The produce from this farm is high quality and INCREDIBLE! My favorite was the homemade ricotta with marmalade and honey (all grown, raised, and made on the property). Also, Anna READ MORE

This lovely organic farm stay is just 6km from the beaches of Lagos, Algarve, Portugal, and has B&B accommodation in an early 19th-century traditional Portuguese farmhouse. THE ACCOMMODATION: Their rustic style rooms are all hotel standard; clean, comfortable and spacious with en-suite bathroom and flat screen satellite TV. Most rooms have also a balcony or a terrace giving nice views of the nearby Algarve hills, and the Monchique Mountains to the north. There is a very good restaurant at the farmhouse too which serves up a range of organic Algarvian and Portuguese specialities, some of the ingredients of which come fresh from the farm, and on some summer evenings they also organize barbecues and traditional Portuguese ‘churrasco’ evenings in the garden. THE FARM: The farmhouse is surrounded by extensive, beautifully tended gardens and a small organic farm which has horses, goats and pigs, as well as various vegetables and over twenty different types of herb. Much of the farm produce ends up in the above mentioned excellent organic restaurant. There is a natural botanical swimming pool there too, and all around you’ll find plenty of space for sunbathing and outdoor dining. TTHE LOCATION: Though just 6km from some of the Algarve’s most popular beaches the immediate area around the farm stay is peaceful and rural. You’ll find the village of Odiaxere like all the small villages in the area to be slow paced and traditional, and with a whole different character to the mass tourist resorts of the coast. Horse riding trips around the countryside, plus various other excursions and tours, can be arranged at the Quinta. The nearest airport is Faro, 85 kilometres away, and transfers to and from there can also be arranged. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Vibrant colours, peaceful vibes. Close to nature, great for escaping the urban life yet close enough to the city center….” “Very pleasant stay, very silent and relaxing, nice location, exceptional breakfast!…” >>CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT QUINTA DAS BARRADAS: READ MORE

Near to St. Etienne and among the high plains of Haute-Loire, Auvergne France, this unusual farmstay has very cute self-catering accommodation for up to four people in wooden caravans, surrounded by vegetable gardens and a small working farm. THE ACCOMMODATION: The caravans are more comfortable than you might imagine and they come with a kitchen, a dining area and each has their own private bathroom and shower. You can also order meals from the farmhouse; The owners are excellent cooks and and have a range of local specialities that you can try, and if you want to cook some yourself they can even offer free cooking lessons! THE FARM: The small farm has a number of dairy cows and ducks and grows potatoes and a number of other vegetables. There is also a playground on the farm and games for kids to play. And they will also entertain themselves by meeting some of the animals. THE LOCATION: Chomelix is in the Haute-Loire, Auvergne department (now amalgamated to form Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes), high on the Massif Central, traditionally thought of as France’s most isolated and poor region. Much of the area is around 1,000 meters above sea level and it can get snowbound frequently in winter. Still though it can be a truly gorgeous place for nature lovers; with wild and mysterious stretches full of dark forests and rocky hills. Chomelix itself is a slight step away from much of the barrenness of the Massif Central, and is a nice, unassuming little village, surrounded by farmland and forested hills, and has a gentle, relaxed pace of life. It sits at the edge of the Livradois-Forez National Park though and so you’ll find plenty of hiking in wild scenery, and it’s also not far from the spectacular Volcans d’Auvergne Park. The village itself wouldn’t be much visited by tourists but others in the area are: The main regional town Le Puy-en-Velay is a spectacular sight with its theatrical conical hills, and about 30 km away from the farmstay. Allegre, nearer still at about 10 km away is a pretty town with much history and has a nice position on the slopes of the Baury Volcano. READ MORE

Hotel Mastinel, in Vilafranca del Penedes near Barcelona, Catalonia/Catalunya, certainly isn’t your average farmhouse; It’s a five star vineyard hotel in a very striking and architecturally unique property that represents bottles of wine laid flat. THE ACCOMMODATION: As you might imagine in such a building the rooms are also unique from inside ‘the bottle’. They are also stylish and very comfortable, with WiFi and flat screen TV, work desk, mini fridge, private bathroom (which in most rooms comes with a bath) and all have nice views over the vineyards below. There is a really top class, but still excellent value, restaurant, a wine shop and a wine therapy room on the premises. The property is large and has lots of public space for indoor and outdoor dining and drinking, as well as a swimming pool in the gardens. THE FOOD & WINE: It has won many awards for its design but its not the only attraction, the quality of the accommodation, the service, the Catalan and Mediterranean cuisine and of course the wine and cava, are all excellent and it all together makes for a truly luxurious experience. But where Hotel Mastinell differs from a usual 5 star hotel is in terms of educating its guests; they do very good on site wine tasting sessions, vineyard and culinary tours and allow guests to watch the preparation of the rich variety of Catalan and Mediterranean cuisine they serve in the restaurant. You can also organize more formal cooking classes with their chefs too. So all in all a quite immersive experience for the food and wine lover. THE LOCATION: The surrounding area is peaceful and tranquil and is popular place for well heeled residents of Barcelona to get their rural fix. Activities include horse riding, cycling and hiking in the nearby hills and mountains, and tours can be arranged from the reception staff, who can be relied upon to give good recommendations of what to see and do in the area. It’s about 45 minutes by car to central Barcelona, while the beaches of Sitges and Vilanova i la Geltrú are just about 20 minutes away. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “A gem READ MORE

Very near the famous town of San Gimignano, Tuscany, Italy, Agriturismo Macinatico is a wonderful rural escape that has great views of the town’s iconic medieval towers and of the surrounding countryside. It makes its own top quality extra virgin olive oil and wine which you can enjoy sampling in some beautifully tended gardens or lounging by its outdoor swimming pool. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have a total of self catering apartments are large and spacious with varying numbers of bedrooms that can sleep up to ten people. They are also clean and very comfortable, with private bathroom, flat screen TV with satellite channels, full kitchen and a lounge area. The owners are very hospitable and friendly and you’ll be welcomed on your arrival with a food hamper containing some basic essentials, bread, coffee etc. plus some nice home made pastries, biscuits and other treats. Outside in the lovely gardens you’ll find barbecue facilities, a kids playground and an outdoor swimming pool with views of the San Gimignano towers. The views from the farm stay are spectacular; you can lay back and enjoy the San Gimignano towers, the vineyards, and all that gorgeous Tuscan landscape while just sitting back at the edge of the pool. THE FARM & VINEYARD: The have acres of vineyards and olive groves surrounding the farmhouse. They produce their own quality cold pressed extra virgin olive oil and various wines here, and they have a small farm shop which sells both, with wines such as Vernaccia Macinatico and Massi DOCG, Toscana Bianco and Rosso IGT, Chianti and Disciplinare Chianti, to name just a few, plus many other good local foodstuffs. You’ll find the owners friendly and enthusiastic and very much experts on the subject of food and wine. Make sure you ask them for a free tour of their vineyards and production lines. THE LOCATION: Just 6 km from one of Tuscany’s most popular tourist towns, San Gimignano, but still gorgeously silent, peaceful and rural, Agriturismo Macinatico has a tremendous location. For those of you not yet familiar, this very historic town is on the itinerary of pretty much every visitor to rural Tuscany, so much so that READ MORE

Just outside Altenmarkt im Pongau, in the heart of Salzburg, Austria’s winter sports region,  Romantische Appartements Sinnhubbauer is a beautifully situated organic farm stay, popular with families on holidays in summer and in winter as a base for skiing, with its easy access to the Ski Amadé and Zauchensee ski areas. THE ACCOMMODATION: The have both B&B rooms and self catering apartments in their traditional Austrian farmhouse and you’ll find all of them super clean, comfortable and modern, with flat screen TV, WiFi, private bathroom and a nice range of stylish wooden furniture. The B&B guests will be treated to a great breakfast every morning which includes organic ingredients from the farm like eggs and their own home made honey, yoghurt and jams. Outside in the gardens there is a large and very fun children’s playground with a game hut, swings, a sandpit, slides, go-carts, scooters, toy tractors, table football and table tennis. The farm is a working organic farm which is mainly busy with the production of milk from its around 40 dairy cattle. It has a number of different other animals too though; pigs, goats, rabbits, ducks and hens. There are some beehives at the farm too and it grows a range of organic fruits and vegetables. THE LOCATION: The area surrounding the farm is classic Salzburg, and famously beautiful in summer or winter; skiing and other winter sports dominate in winter, with some important resorts very near by, Ski Amadé and Zauchensee, for example, as well as a cross country ski route and a winter hiking trail right next to the farm. The nearest town is Altenmarkt im Pongau, less than 3km down the road. There you’ll find plenty of restaurants, shops and bars and it gets busy with tourists both summer and winter. In summer there is some really great hiking and mountain biking trails around as well as fishing and horse riding. The farm owners will have plenty of recommendations for you and can arrange fishing and cycling trips from the farm, and they let you use their bikes for free. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Beautiful place. Nature surroundings, perfectly clean, outside space for kids, animals, possibility to READ MORE

Amongst the vineyards of the Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia, this farm stay is a working alpaca farm with a few extra luxuries for guests: a tennis court, sauna, spa, swimming pool, barbecue and children’s playground. Accommodation is in the form of cottages with a balcony and outdoor seats, a full kitchen, and a lounge with flat-screen TV. Visitors are more than welcome to meet and feed the animals at any time. The cottages are located next to the alpaca fields with views of the animals. Guests are welcome to meet and feed the animals at any time throughout the day. There is free Wi-Fi at the reception area which also has a souvenir shop and sells a range of alpaca knitwear. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “A fantastic stay. There is so much to do. Pool, tennis courts, bikes, feeding the animals etc. We stayed with friends and we each had our own place which was awesome. So close yet still your own space….” “So clean, great shower, plenty of space. All the animals on the property were super cute. We got the cabin that was brand new so was great! Loved it!…” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT STARLINE ALPACAS FARM STAY: READ MORE

  Just outside the village of Vilar de Maçada in the Douro Valley of Northern Portugal, and about 20 minutes drive from the city of Vila Real, pet friendly Quinta de Fiães has a range of very nice rooms and self catering apartments on a working vineyard with an outdoor swimming pool. All their rooms, suites and apartments come with private bathroom, satellite TV and WiFi, while the suites and apartments also have a kitchenette and a comfortable lounge area. The friendly staff can arrange a tour of the vineyards and tasting sessions of their wines. There is a very good on-site restaurant too where guests, including self catering guests, are served a free buffet breakfast every morning and where good traditional Portuguese food is available all day. There are shuttle buses every day to the city and the staff can organize baby sitting services too if required. And they can also arrange a shuttle service to and from Porto International Airport about an hour and a half away by car. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Amazing customer service – the owners go above and beyond to make it an enjoyable stay!..” “We felt really welcome as if staying with friends. Lovely rural location, surrounded by vineyards, excellent swimming pool, very good food…” Click here to read more of what other guests say. READ MORE

Agriturismo Nurazzolas has highly rated self catering accommodation in a wonderfully peaceful location just minutes from the the east coast of Sardinia. The farm is eco-friendly and organic, producing extra virgin olive oil, various vegetables as well as keeping animals; donkeys, goats, peacocks and chickens. THE ACCOMMODATION: The main farmhouse is divided up into four apartments each with a living room, fully equipped kitchen, one or two bedrooms (to sleep up to four, ie. with one double and two single beds), and each comes with nice private terrace area with views of the surrounding countryside and the sea in the distance. The Nurazzolas farmhouse has been designed along eco- friendly principles; their electricity needs come from solar panels and they have a wastewater purification and recycling irrigation system in place. Their farm is also organic and though the accommodation is self catering they provide you with fresh organic ingredients to make your daily breakfast with. Their goats produce milk which goes into home made yoghurt which you are welcome to try, the same going for their organic extra virgin olive oil and vegetables. The views are splendid from the farmhouse, and from around the farm, and you are just minutes away from the warm, welcoming waters of the Mediterranean. THE LOCATION: This quiet, unassuming, countryside and villages around Agriturismo Nurazzolas have much historical heritage; the 700 year old hilltop Castle of Quirra and the nearby Tower of Murtas, which have stunning sea views, for example, or the sacred well of Is Pirois and the Romanesque, riverside, 13th century church of San Nicola, to name but a few. The coastal area here, around Porto Corallo, is interesting and diverse with a long sandstone interrupted by the River delta of the Flumendosa with numerous creeks where once coral fragments were found. There is some very nice hiking to be found around here, both inland and along the coast, and you are also close to some of the more well known tourist centres and beaches of Sardinia’s east coast; Costa Rei, Capo Ferrato, Arbatrax, Villasimius and Dorgali to name but a few. The owners of Agriturismo Nurazzolas know the area well and will have READ MORE

This lovely farm house stay just outside the village of Patergassen in the Nockberge Mountains of Carthinia, Austria, has very comfortable self-catering apartments with balconies, in a beautifully renovated, 500 year old, Alpine farmhouse. The apartments are super comfortable and clean, and though quite modern inside, they retain some lovely rustic touches; traditional wooden furniture for example and traditional wooden floors and ceilings. They all have fully equipped kitchens, nice bathrooms and spacious lounge & dining areas with WiFi and satellite TV as standard. The farmhouse really is a beautifully rustic and atmospheric building; all wooden panels and hanging flower baskets in that classic Alpine style. Outside, in the large gardens you’ll find a traditional sauna with a wood heated stove, an infrared cabin, and of course there is the farm and the surrounding forest which you are welcome to explore. You’ll find the views gorgeous at almost every turn here, from the farmhouse, the gardens and the farm. This means of course that the surrounding area is fantastic for hiking, much of it being quite strenuous but with some gentler slopes too. In winter skiing and winter sports take over, and there are two popular winter sports resorts nearby; Bad Kleinkirchheim just 6km away and the Turracher Höhe Ski Area around 15 km. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “This place is great for family, friends and lovers of ecological aspects of life. It has an amazing reconstructed vintage alp house with many comfort features including a wonderful sauna. It is located in lovely nature with large meadows. The skiing center is close about 15 minutes. The owners are very pleasant. For the location the place is a very good price. I highly recommend!…” “Charming place! The apartments were heartwarmingly cosy, it couldn’t have been lovelier. Fantastic sauna & relax area. Claudia was very nice and helpful, she showed us the farm by the Gasthaus, we even saw a baby cow!…” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT LEEBHOF:   READ MORE

Agroturismo Iabiti-Aurrekoa is a peaceful, eco-friendly farmhouse B&B very near Bilbao airport in Spain’s Basque Country.  It has a range of rooms in its beautifully restored 19th-century farmhouse surrounded by acres of gardens and orchard groves. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have a selection of 6 double and twin rooms at the eco-friendly farmhouse, all of which are tastefully decorated in keeping with the traditional feel of the house, with exposed stone walls and wood beamed ceilings. They have modern comforts too; WiFi, flat screen TV, underfloor heating and very nice en-suite bathrooms, and you can expect the best of service from the hospitable owners. They is a common lounge area downstairs too with a fireplace and outside you’ll find plenty of seating in the extensive gardens surrounded by flowers and fruit trees from which you can help yourself to some fresh figs, kiwi fruit, apples and plums. THE LOCATION: The hotel is very near Blbao, it’s just 15 minutes from the city centre in fact, and less than 10 minutes from Bilbao airport. It can be a nice alternative to a usual airport hotel for some travellers and though the location is convenient it still has a very rural, relaxing charm. Nearby Zamudio has plenty of history going back to Roman times and was part of the medieval Camino de Santiago on its way from France to Galicia, though the modern French Way now takes a different route through Biscay and along the Guipuzcoan coast. This ancient stretch, between Bilbao and Guernika can still be walked via a marked path which runs along a stretch of the old road from Bilbao to Guernica and through historic sites such as the 17th-century Arikondo Bridge and the Baroque Palace at Larragoiti, as well as some lovely oak woodland and typically green rural Basque scenery. Golf lovers will be pleased to know there are four decent golf courses within 15 minutes drive of the hotel, the best one being at the Laukariz Country Club, a full 27 hole course in a beautiful natural setting near the town of Munguia. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “This is such a lovely agroturismo property. Tucked away off a suburban road, you READ MORE

Just outside the beautiful hilltop town of Pienza, Tuscany, Italy, Agriturismo Casapicchiata is a very highly rated farm stay that has comfortable B&B rooms in a traditional Tuscan farmhouse surrounded by acres of wheat fields, olive groves, lavender and cypress trees. The views are tremendous too and it is in a perfect location for further exploration of this fabled sub-region of Tuscany; Val ‘Orcia. THE ACCOMMODATION: All the rooms are rustically stylish, with tiled floors, antique furniture and classic bed frames, and they all come with nice private bathrooms. This farm stay comes with lots of other niceties too; a spa & wellness center with massage services, a fitness center, a small indoor swimming pool, a hot tub and a solarium. They know how to look after their guests here and they can also provide a number of other, more practical, services; babysitting, laundry and maid services for example. Their food is tremendous, and not only the breakfast; the friendly owners cook up some great locally sourced food (Much from their own farm) in the evenings too which can be shared with other guests in the farm’s ‘family and friends only’ informal restaurant. THE LOCATION: The lovely Pienza is of course very much on the Tuscan tourist trail and there are innumerable other lovely small towns nearby too; Bagno Vignoni, Montacino, Rocca d’Orcia to name just a few. In between too of course you have some classic Val d’Orcia/Southern Tuscany countryside to enjoy (you’ll find a special section on Val d’Orcia on this page). You can hire bikes from the farm to head out exploring if you wish, and/or they can also arrange some wonderful horse riding trips which take you around the local area and some of the more hidden, less touristy areas of Val d’Orcia. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Amazing location right at the heart of Val d’Orcia, within driving distance of many central locations of Tuscany. Beautiful place with warmhearted owners….” “Excellent property, the owner was very kind and helpful. The breakfast was great and we fell in love with the location (and the dog!)….” >>CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO READ MORE

Just over two hours from Melbourne, near Victoria’s Great Ocean Road and just five minutes from Johanna Beach, Johanna River Farm has pet friendly, and family friendly self catering cottages with lovely ocean views. The farm is a 280 acre working farm with animals including sheep, goats, hens and ducks. THE ACCOMMODATION: The cosy cottages, which can sleep up to four, are spacious, comfortable and stylish, and all have an outside terrace with seating from where you can enjoy some great views of the ocean and the surrounding countryside. There are barbecue facilities outside too and inside you can prepare meals in the well equipped kitchens. You’ll also find spacious lounges with TV and DVD players, and one cottage has its own spa bath. Check your options out on the booking page here. THE LOCATION: There is a lot to do in the surrounding area; there is the lovely Johanna Beach just five minutes down the road while the Otway Fly Treetop Walk and the Cape Otway Lighthouse Station are both less than a half an hour away. Slightly farther away there are more attractions to be explored like the Otway Fly Treetop Walk, Apollo Bay and the iconic Twelve Apostles. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Quaint & quiet farm stay, excellent for young kids! The hospitality by Helen & Julian was awesome. The animals were so friendly. highly recommended :)…” “The hosts and farm animals were super friendly and the beach was just a short drive away! Also very accessible to major sites like 12 Apostles, Port Campbell and Apollo Bay. Overall an excellent experience I would highly recommend….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT JOHANNA RIVER FARM:   READ MORE

Margaret River Hideaway & Farmstay is a 57 acre bushland farm in Western Australia that has eight very comfortable self catering cottages surrounded by a host of farm animals and plenty of local wildlife too. THE ACCOMMODATION: Their dog-friendly accommodation come in various sizes with the larger cottages being able to sleep up to six people. They all have a patio with BBQ facilities, a flat screen LCD TV & DVD player. All of them have a fully equipped kitchen except the studio option, which has a smaller, but still useful, kitchenette. The accommodation is self catering though on arrival the hospitable owners greet guests with a free breakfast starter pack which includes cereal, juices, milk and fresh bread. And if the hens are hatching when you’re there you are also welcome to use their eggs any time. THE FARM: The farm covers 57 acres and is home to a number of different animals; Scottish Highland cattle, Dorper sheep, emus, guinea fowl ducks, geese, hens and peacocks. You can arrange guided tours of the farm and meet the animals, with every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday being feeding time where the guests are welcome to join in. THE LOCATION: The Farm Stay is less than 5 minutes north along Osmington Road from Margaret River township, with both Margaret River Golf Club and Prevelly Beach each being about 15 minutes away. There is lots to see and do in the Margaret River region. There are some great bush walking trails around with jarrah, karri and marri forestlands where you can see a whole range of native wildlife. A spectacular coastline that is very much a mecca for swimmers and particularly surfers, and where you can go whale watching (from Augusta and Dunsborough). You can do lots of outdoor adventure sports in the region too, like canoeing, rock climbing, abseiling and caving, as well as more conventional sports like golf and tennis. The town of Margaret River too is a lovely place to hang out, famous for its food and wine, you’ll find some of Australia’s best here; with lots of boutique wineries and vineyards to visit, restaurants, cafes, galleries and farmer’s READ MORE

In Dieffenthal in the heart of the Alsace wine route, between Strasbourg and Colmar, France, Le Vieux Pressoir has self catering accommodation in a traditional Alsatian farmhouse on the grounds of a working vineyard estate. They have a huge choice of accommodation, ranging from double studio apartments to a huge, eight bedroom cottage gite, perfect for large groups. All of the accommodation you will find comfortable, clean and well equipped. You can hire bikes direct from the friendly owners and they are always happy to show you around the estate and winery, and teach you a little about their wine making. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Very pretty property with lovely gardens. We were able to check in much earlier than the advertised time and were made to feel very welcome….” “Friendly hosts, nice environment, good quality rooms. Well worth its price….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT LE VIEUX PRESSOIR: READ MORE

Situated along the rolling hills 16.1 km north of Dumfries town, Boreland Farm features a variety of farm activities and animals. Free fishing can be enjoyed on the River Cairn (when in season), which is less than 5 minutes’ walk from the property. An en suite bathroom is featured in each Boreland Farm room, as well as a TV & DVD player and tea/coffee making facilities. All rooms have their own private access. A full cooked Scottish breakfast is served each day at a time of your choosing. Staff can recommend places to eat in the local area, with many more available in Dumfries which is only a 25-minute drive away. Guests can take in the farm’s 365 acres of pasture and rough grazing, which feature a flock of 550 breeding sheep include pure Beltex ewes and tups. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Such a spacious, beautiful place to stay. Our host was so very accommodating and helpful recommending the great Italian restaurant. Delicious! Beautiful farm with sheep, rock fences. Husband enjoyed his walk there. We ate our first haggis here. What a cook our host is! We will return if available and travel to this area again. I highly recommend….” “Wonderful location in the middle of nowhere, with the walk up the hillside to the top just splendid, birdsong everywhere and loads of wildflowers….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT BORELAND FARM: READ MORE

Conveniently between Paris and Dijon, France, the child friendly Ferme de Flo has B&B accommodation on its busy little animal rescue farm which hosts a huge amount of animals; pigs, ponies, goats, hens, ducks and more, most of which had been abandoned by their previous owners but then found a loving home here. It’s sure to be a hit with the kids as they can have plenty of interaction with the animals but adults too will appreciate the comfortable accommodation, friendly hosts and the educational farm workshops and tours where you can learn about such things as sustainable agriculture, bread making and even how to drive a tractor. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have four B&B guest rooms, all with private bathroom, in the farmhouse as well as a very pleasant self catering cottage with one double/twin bed, three singles and one futon bed to sleep one or two more. All of the accommodation is clean and well maintained and the homemade breakfast is excellent. Guests in the self catering cottage can also enjoy the breakfast but for an extra charge and they can buy all sorts of locally produced food products at the on site shop for cooking with later. The main attraction at La Ferme de Flo are the animals. Over two hundred in total many of them had been abandoned by their owners and then rescued by the farm. They are all very friendly and well used to visitors and guests can partake in farm tasks as much as they like as well as learn a little about farming and taking care of animals. THE LOCATION: The farm is in the little village of Evry, between Paris and Dijon, on the north western edge of Burgundy, less than 100km from Paris and around 200 from Dijon. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Such a lovely and interesting place to stay. We really enjoyed our stay, lovely accommodation, very friendly, and best of all a tour of the farm which was great for the kids and very interesting. I would recommend Ferme de Flo 100%….” “It is really comfortable, spacious, the host is very friendly and warm, the breakfast is super. My READ MORE

This lovely farm stay is situated on a working, vegetable producing, farm in the heart of the Valle D’Aosta in the Italian Alps. It’s a 15-minute drive from the centre of Aosta and only about 20km from the closest lift to the Pila ski resort. Courmayeur and the Mont Blanc cable car are about 40 km away, while Châtillon is half an hour away by car. Their Italian Alpine-style apartments are tastefully furnished with TV and private bathroom and with wooden, mountain view balconies. There is a ski storage room and they also have barbecue facilities in the large gardens. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “The perfect stay. Beautiful location, very warm and helpful owners , extremely clean and tidy apartment , excellent view and a really peaceful place….” “We had the most wonderful week at Plan d’Avie. Patrick and his family are kind and hospitable people. The view around the farm is magnificent and the apartment was perfect for our family with spacious kitchen and bathroom….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO PLAN D’AVIE:   READ MORE

In the heart of the Alsace Wine Route, Domaine du Haras de Saint-Pierre has a nice self catering apartment to sleep up to five on its horse farm/equestrian center. The location is great, within walking distance of the village of Saint Pierre, and surrounded by lots of those classic Alsatian vineyards. THE ACCOMMODATION: The apartment has two bedrooms; one with a double bed and the other with one double and one single. There is a nice, well equipped kitchen and a spacious lounge with a comfortable sofa and a dining area. If the weather’s good you also dine on the outdoor terrace overlooking the gardens which also have sun loungers, seating and a small children’s playground. Fresh organic food can be bought from the farm shop down the road and you’ll find some shops within walking distance in the little village of Saint Pierre. You’ll be left to your own devices here with the main activity at Domaine du Haras de Saint-Pierre being of course horse-riding. It’s a professional equestrian center with a great reputation in the region and guests are welcome to take part in all sorts of horse related activities, riding lessons, horse and pony tours, horse drawn carriage rides etc. You are in the heart of the Alsace Wine Route here and you can wander around on foot or on horseback some of the local vineyards. Wine tours and tasting sessions etc. can also be arranged. THE LOCATION: Domaine du Haras de Saint-Pierre is beside the village of Saint-Pierre, Alsace, 3km from the A35 motorway and 10 km from the lovely town of Obernai, famous for producing some of the best beer and wine in France. The A35 leads north to Strasbourg and south to Colmar, the journey to each being around 20 minutes. As mentioned above this is the Alsace Wine Route and many local vineyards are open to the public, with a huge amount of wine related activities to be enjoyed. It’s also just a lovely area to drive around, with rolling green hills, pretty villages and medieval chateaux in every direction. Another notable and pretty unusual sight in the area is the Monkey Mountain, READ MORE

The very highly rated Agriturismo Arco di Sole has a range of self catering apartments in a converted farmhouse on its olive oil and wheat producing organic farm in the heart of Puglia/Apulia, Italy, just 10 minutes outside the town of Martina Franca. All their comfortable and clean apartments come with air conditioning and WiFi, kitchenette, and a seating area with flat screen TV. Though the accommodation is self catering a fantastic breakfast is provided every morning in the main dining room of the farmhouse. The white limestone house is surrounded by some very nice gardens and guests are welcome to wander around the farm where the friendly owners are always happy to explain about the making of the farm’s produce. They can provide other services too; child minding, laundry, airport/local town shuttle services, grocery delivery, tours etc. etc. And if you tire of the farm eventually the surrounding area is beautiful to explore and for that you can also hire bikes direct from the farmhouse. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Amazing host, very authentic accommodation, felt more like a home, beautiful surroundings away from the crowds. Wonderful experience, will be back!!….” “We absolutely loved the place. The apartment was beautifully decorated and with everything you may need. The owner welcomed us with coffee and water and she even baked fresh focaccia and bought artisan ice-creams for our children. Even the shampoos were organic….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO ARCO DI SOLE:   READ MORE

Near Gordes, Rousillon, Apt and Gargas in the heart of the Luberon region of Provence, France, La Coquillade has 5 star accommodation in a 13th-century wine-making village surrounded by almost 90 acres of vineyards and lavender plants. It is very much a luxury getaway and would feature on any sensible list of the best hotels in Provence. THE ACCOMMODATION: It has a choice of 63 different rooms and suites, all of which are spacious and extremely comfortable, and with all modern facilities. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool in the lovely gardens and a very highly rated bistro restaurant serving up a range of Provençal and French specialities as well as some of the best wines in Provence. There is a spa, gym and wellness center which also has an indoor swimming pool, and massage services plus various well-being and beauty treatments are offered. You’ll find a full service of wine tourism at this vineyard hotel; educational vineyard tours, wine tasting sessions etc. are all here, and they can also arrange tours of some of the other wineries in the area as well as lavender farms and distilleries. PRICES: Check out all the details – prices, reviews & more photos on the booking page here. THE LOCATION: La Coquillade is situated between Luberon and Ventoux in Provence with its nearest city being Avignon. The countryside in this part of France is absolutely gorgeous and very enjoyable to tour around whether by car or by bike, and the hotel has plenty of quality bikes and biking equipment that can be rented by guests. If you’re here in summer you’ll also get a chance to see the above mentioned lavender fields in full bloom. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Everything! The pools, the views, the spa, the food, the staff – everything was excellent….” “Amazingly outstanding in everything: the reception, the rooms, the service, the perfect location in the very heart of Provence, the restaurants, the country side environment, pools, biking, jogging, spa, the excellent overgenerous breakfast. If you may – it’s the perfect stay!!!” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT LA COQUILLADE:   READ MORE

Agroturismo Alves de Matos has B&B accommodation in a beautifully restored 16th century farmhouse midway between Portugal’s two largest cities, Lisbon and Porto, while also being close to the medieval city of Coimbra and many nice beaches. It is a place to relax and be pampered with a range of spa facilities of offer, but even if spa treatments are not your thing the peace, tranquility and beauty of the estate is enough to de-stress the most tired of minds. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have a great range of rooms to sleep up to four (The family rooms), all of them feel new and relatively modern in style but some display the odd rustic touch too, in line with the rich history of the farmhouse and the estate. All the rooms are super comfortable and match the standards of any good boutique hotel, as do their generous, quality fresh breakfasts. (You can also order snacks during the day, and, if you give a little bit of advance notice, evening meals too.) The spa is of course a major draw at Quinta Alves de Matos with facilities including a sauna, Turkish bath, hydromassage bath, contrast bath, min gym, and a Jacuzzi/hot tub both indoors and out. They have a range of treatments too and out in the lovely gardens you’ll find a swimming pool, sun loungers and fruit orchards from where you are welcome to pick your own fruit; peaches, lemons and oranges for example. THE LOCATION: The location is ideal for those making the journey from Lisbon to Porto or vice versa. As mentioned above it is also very near the lovely old university city of Coimbra and some very good beaches at Leiria on the the Pinhal Litoral just 14km away. The journey from Lisbon and from Porto shouldn’t take much more than an hour while Coimbra can be reached in about 40 minutes. Other well known places like Fátima, Nazaré, Alcobaça and Figueira da Fo are all also within an hours drive. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Exceptional place! It is family business. As soon as we arrived we greeted by the owner at reception( very friendly young lady). The hotel READ MORE